Dhami conducts aerial survey
CM distributes ₹4 lakh each to kin of villagers killed; two people still missing
DEHRADUN/PITHORAGARH: Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday conducted an aerial survey of the disaster affected areas in Pithoragarh’s Jumma village to assess the damage due to a cloudburst and heavy rain.
Dhami also met people in Jamuni and Siroudiyar hamlets in Jumma village, where heavy rain triggered a landslide on Sunday and damaged seven houses. So far, 5 bodies have been recovered, including three teenage girls, and two women.
The search resumed on Tuesday morning for the two other missing persons, but till late evening rescuers couldn’t locate them.
Dhami also took stock of the relief and rescue operation being conducted in the area. He met the villagers at SSB camp at Aelagad and expressed his condolences over the death of five people. “In these moments of sorrow, we stand by you. All possible help will be provided to the affected people here,” he said.
Dhami also distributed cheques of ₹4 lakh each to the kin of villagers killed in the tragedy. Dhami said an additional relief of ₹1 lakh will be provided to the families who have lost their family members in the tragedy from the chief minister’s relief fund.
After this, Dhami reached Dharchula, where he heard the grievances of local people. He also met the disaster-affected people in Nou Gaon Tarkot area and assured them all possible help. Dhami directed the district magistrate of Pithoragarh to call experts for a geological survey of the area and accordingly take safety measures.
Dhami said the helicopter service in the district will be extended by a month, adding that if the need arises, the service will be further extended.
Dhami said approval will be provided to a ₹42 crore project for building an embankment of Kali river in Dharchula.
Dhami also assured that government will ferry essentials through the choppers in areas where it is not possible to reach due to blocked roads.
Bhupinder Singh Mehar, Pithoragarh district disaster management officer, said despite the day-long search operation, the two missing people couldn’t be found. “The search operation will be resumed on Wednesday morning,” he said.
Meanwhile, rain continued to lash parts of the state, disrupting the normal life and movement of people.
The state received 7.9 mm rain in 24-hour period starting 8.30 am on Monday.
For the next three days, the MeT office predicted thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and intense shower at isolated places in the hills.