Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday conducted a ground inspection of disaster-affected areas in Syana Chatti, Barkot tehsil (Uttarkashi district), where a temporary lake had formed in the Yamuna river after heavy debris flow blocked its natural course. The Chief Minister met affected families, assured them of full government support, and issued a series of directives aimed at accelerating relief, rehabilitation, and connectivity restoration in the region.
During the visit, Dhami inspected the temporary lake created near Syana Chatti after debris from the Gadgad Gadhera stream obstructed the Yamuna’s flow. He reviewed the ongoing work to remove silt and widen the lake’s mouth to enable safe and rapid drainage of accumulated water. Stressing urgency, the Chief Minister instructed officials to complete the task swiftly to prevent further flooding risks for downstream villages.
Interaction with Affected Families
The Chief Minister met with disaster-affected families, listened to their concerns, and reassured them that the state government stands firmly with every victim. He promised that damage assessments would be conducted quickly and that affected households would receive timely financial assistance and relief supplies. “In this hour of crisis, no family will be left alone. Relief will be provided on priority,” he said.
Agricultural Relief and Market Support
Highlighting the impact on farmers, Dhami noted that the blockade of roads has hampered market access, particularly for potato growers in the region. To minimize losses, he directed the District Magistrate to ensure that potatoes and other perishable crops are procured at fair prices. The Chief Minister further instructed the Agriculture Department, Mandi Parishad, and related agencies to coordinate with local bodies so that farmers’ produce does not go to waste.
Restoration of Roads and Bridges
The Chief Minister carried out an on-site inspection of the damaged Kupra Kunshala bridge, which is crucial for connectivity in the region. He ordered that a construction agency be appointed immediately to begin rebuilding the bridge at the earliest. In the meantime, Dhami directed officials to establish a temporary pedestrian route to restore basic movement until the bridge is fully reconstructed.
He also instructed departments to expedite the clearance of landslide debris across blocked roads and ensure the early reopening of the Yamunotri route, an important pilgrimage corridor that has been disrupted by multiple slides.
Broader Relief and Rehabilitation Measures
Dhami emphasized that relief efforts must include not only infrastructure repair but also comprehensive rehabilitation. He directed officials to conduct rapid assessments of property losses and ensure prompt compensation for affected households. Special attention, he said, should be given to restoring livelihood opportunities for families who depend on agriculture and small-scale businesses in the region.
The Chief Minister reiterated that government machinery is fully mobilized to support residents. He instructed senior officials to monitor relief distribution on the ground and ensure adequate supply of food, shelter, and medical assistance in all affected hamlets.
Officials and Leaders Present
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Purola MLA Durgeshwar Lal, Yamunotri MLA Sanjay Dobal, BJP district leaders including Nagendra Chauhan, and district panchayat chairperson Ramesh Chauhan. Senior administrative and police officials, including District Magistrate Prashant Arya, Superintendent of Police Sarita Dobal, SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi, ADM Mukta Mishra, SDM Brijesh Tiwari, and DSP Devendra Singh Negi, were also present during the inspection, along with community representatives.
The Chief Minister’s visit to Syana Chatti underscores the state government’s commitment to swift disaster response and long-term resilience building. With directives covering road and bridge repairs, crop procurement, debris removal, and relief distribution, the administration is expected to accelerate work in the coming days.
By personally visiting the disaster-hit region on August 27th, Dhami sought to reassure communities that the state government will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with affected families until full normalcy is restored.
