Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan on Wednesday reviewed the ongoing relief and rehabilitation work for disaster-affected regions of the state, with special focus on areas impacted by the recent Dharali disaster in Uttarkashi. Chairing a high-level meeting at the Secretariat, Bardhan directed senior officials to prioritize restoration of connectivity, ensure uninterrupted supply of essentials, and accelerate measures for livelihood recovery in the affected villages.
Urgent Restoration of Connectivity
The Chief Secretary instructed the Secretaries of the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Irrigation Department to jointly visit Dharali and oversee the construction of an alternative route for the submerged section of the Gangotri National Highway, where a temporary lake has blocked access. He also ordered the immediate repair of pedestrian and alternative routes to restore movement in the region.
Emphasizing the urgency of search and rescue operations, Bardhan called for the deployment of the latest technologies, including drones and remote sensors, to expedite search efforts for missing persons. He also stressed the need for adequate food and shelter arrangements for displaced residents.
Support for Farmers and Market Access
The Chief Secretary highlighted that the road blockade has disrupted market access for fruit and vegetable growers, causing distress among farming communities in Uttarkashi and adjoining districts. To address this, Bardhan directed the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure that the Uttarakhand Horticulture Board and Mandi Parishad actively procure produce from farmers in the affected areas.
He further instructed the activation of GMVN and KMVN market cells to provide alternate marketing avenues and ordered the arrangement of cold storage facilities to prevent losses to perishable crops. These measures, he said, are crucial for protecting farmers’ incomes and stabilizing local markets.
Livelihood and Compensation Measures
Recognizing the need for long-term recovery, Bardhan emphasized the promotion of livelihood support schemes such as the Apple Mission, Kiwi Mission, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Self-Employment Scheme, and Homestay initiatives. These programmes, he said, will help communities rebuild their livelihoods and reduce migration pressures.
He also directed the immediate distribution of compensation for livestock losses, acknowledging that many rural families depend heavily on cattle and sheep for their sustenance.
Rehabilitation and Documentation Support
In his directives, the Chief Secretary called for the construction of prefabricated buildings for schools, hospitals, and Anganwadi centers to ensure continuity of essential services in disaster-affected areas. He noted that many families may have lost important documents such as property papers, certificates, and identity cards, and therefore instructed the setting up of multi-purpose camps to issue replacements swiftly.
To support families of those still missing, Bardhan directed officials to begin civil death certification procedures, extending the same provisions to foreign nationals, including Nepali-origin workers and international tourists who were caught in the disaster.
Use of Technology for Damage Assessment
For property and land damage assessments, the Chief Secretary directed the use of satellite imagery and modern survey tools, with technical support from the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST). He also instructed officials to draw upon past studies and data compiled by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) to guide decision-making.
Looking ahead, Bardhan directed the Director General of UCOST to prepare a comprehensive risk assessment module for glaciers, glacial lakes, moraines, and boulders across Uttarakhand. He emphasized the need to bring together scientific institutions and form a dedicated team to monitor these threats and strengthen early-warning systems.
Senior Officials Present
The review meeting was attended by several top officials, including Secretary Shailesh Bagouli, Secretary Dr. Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, Secretary Dr. Surendra Narayan Pandey, Vinod Kumar Suman, Yugal Kishore Pant, Additional Secretary Dr. Ahmad Iqbal, Anand Swaroop, Ashish Chauhan, and Himanshu Khurana. Their presence underlined the urgency with which the state government is approaching disaster management and rehabilitation.
The Chief Secretary’s directives reflect Uttarakhand’s effort to balance immediate relief measures with long-term resilience building. With the use of technology, livelihood support schemes, and coordinated departmental action, the state aims not only to restore normalcy in Dharali but also to create a stronger disaster response framework for the future.
