Uttarakhand CM Puts All Departments on 24×7 Vigil as IMD Issues Orange Alert – Indian PSU
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert for several districts of Uttarakhand and heavy rainfall continuing across the state, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday directed all government departments to remain on 24×7 alert mode and ensure swift relief and rescue operations.
Early Tuesday morning, the Chief Minister reviewed the prevailing situation with Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman. He sought updates on rainfall, road closures, river water levels, waterlogging, relief measures, rescue operations, and the preparedness of district administrations.
Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister Madan Kaushik and Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan also reviewed the situation with senior officials. They instructed all State and District Emergency Operations Centres to remain operational round the clock, continuously monitor developments, and ensure immediate response to any emergency.
The Chief Minister emphasized that all departments must work in close coordination and that there should be no delay in relief and rescue efforts during any disaster situation. He directed district magistrates and senior officials to remain in the field, personally assess the situation, and take prompt decisions wherever required.
To ensure rapid restoration of connectivity, Dhami ordered the immediate clearance of roads blocked due to landslides or heavy rain. He instructed officials to maintain adequate deployment of JCBs, Poclains, dozers, and other machinery so that traffic movement and rescue operations are restored without delay.
Recognizing the challenges of reaching remote and inaccessible areas, the Chief Minister also directed that helicopter services be kept on full alert to facilitate emergency evacuation, relief operations, and quick delivery of assistance whenever required.
He further instructed the concerned departments to restore electricity, drinking water, and communication services on a priority basis wherever these are disrupted due to heavy rainfall or landslides.
The safety of pilgrims undertaking the Chardham Yatra remains the government’s highest priority, the Chief Minister said. He directed authorities to halt pilgrims at designated safe locations whenever heavy rainfall or landslide risks arise and permit onward travel only after weather and road conditions improve.
State Monitoring Round the Clock
Following the Chief Minister’s directions, Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman chaired a virtual meeting with officials from all districts to review preparedness and ongoing response measures.
He instructed district administrations to exercise heightened vigilance in vulnerable areas, strengthen inter-departmental coordination, and ensure immediate response to any emergency. District Magistrates have been asked to regularly review relief and rescue operations and personally monitor the situation in their respective districts.
Suman said the State Emergency Operations Centre is continuously monitoring developments across Uttarakhand and maintaining constant coordination with District Emergency Operations Centres, district administrations, and all concerned departments.
Orange Alert for July 29 and 30
According to the India Meteorological Department, an orange alert has been issued for several districts of Uttarakhand for July 29 and 30, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, and extremely intense spells of rain.
On July 29, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Dehradun, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Nainital, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar districts.
On July 30, an orange alert has been issued for Bageshwar, Champawat, and Pithoragarh, while heavy rainfall is also expected in Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, and Nainital.
The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority has directed all district administrations to remain on maximum alert. Residents and Chardham pilgrims have been advised to follow IMD warnings and local administration advisories, avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from landslide-prone areas, rivers, streams, and waterlogged locations, and strictly follow official instructions during emergencies.
