The death toll due to disaster caused by heavy rain in the Mori Tehsil of Uttarkashi district on Sunday has reached 12 while 14 persons are missing. The State government has launched rescue and relief operations by land and air, using three helicopters to supply relief materials in affected areas and transport the seriously injured to the government Doon Medical College hospital in Dehradun.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) a total of 12 deaths have been confirmed while 14 persons are confirmed missing. These include three dead and two missing in Arakot village, seven dead and two missing in Makudi village, one dead and four missing in Sanail village, one dead and five missing at Nagwara near Tikochi village and one missing in Snol village. About 60 small and big domesticated animals have also reportedly died in the affected areas. Teams comprising personnel of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), district quick response team, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre search and rescue, police from Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, fire service and district officers along with medical team comprising four doctors, three pharmacists and two ward boys and veterinary team have been deployed in the affected areas. Three helicopters including one advanced light helicopter of the Indian Air Force were mobilised for rescue and relief works. Eight injured persons referred to Dehradun were air lifted and admitted to the GDMC Hospital.
Disaster management secretary Amit Singh Negi informed that the heavy rain had caused landslides and road damage in the affected areas. The national highway division and Public Works Department were able to restore the Tyuni-Arakot national highway for traffic. Three helipads have been set up in the affected area with communication set up also being established at Arakot. Three relief camps are being operated in and around Arakot. Rations, medicines, tents and various other basic relief materials were transported to the affected areas. About 12 villages have been directly affected by the disaster. Teams were travelling on foot to establish contact with residents of a few remote villages not contacted yet, he added.
SDRF inspector general Sanjay Gunjyal informed that since some of the affected areas border Himachal Pradesh, police and officials from the neighbouring state were also involved in the rescue and relief efforts. The State is in constant touch with the Shimla superintendent of police.
Later in the evening, the chief secretary Utpal Kumar Singh held a meeting to review rescue and relief efforts in the disaster affected areas. He directed officials concerned to ensure that connectivity, supply of drinking water and electricity are restored swiftly. Relief materials and medicines should be air-dropped in areas not yet reached by relief teams. Further, arrangements for cremation of those who have died should be made according to the sentiments of family members, he said.
