Uttarkashi cloudburst: PM Modi speaks to Uttarakhand CM, assures Centre's complete support

In a statement, Uttarakhand CMO announced that PM Narendra Modi took stock of the situation in Uttarakhand through a call with CM Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Inquiring about the rescue and relief operations in the wake of Dharali cloudburst, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and assured Centre's complete support.

The chief minister's office (CMO) issued a statement today, announcing that PM Narendra Modi took stock of the situation in Uttarakhand through a call with CM Pushkar Singh Dhami. A day after Dharali cloudburst, PM Modi inquired about relief and rescue status and assured all possible assistance from the central government.

Earlier today, CM Dhami, speaking to reporters said that the rescue operations are being undertaken at a brisk pace and until now 130 individuals have been rescued from various sites. He also stated that he will be camping in the affected areas for two days.

The statement reads, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami over the phone and inquired about the recent disaster in the Dharali area of ​​Uttarakhand district and the updated status of relief and rescue operations. CM Dhami told the Prime Minister that the state government is engaged in relief and rescue operations with full readiness. Due to continuous heavy rains, there are difficulties in some areas, but all the concerned agencies are working in coordination so that the affected people can get quick assistance. Prime Minister Modi assured all possible assistance from the central government.”

At least four persons were killed and dozens feared washed away in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand after flash floods triggered by torrential rain hit the Kheer Ganga river on Tuesday afternoon. The floods hit hotels and residential buildings in Dharali town, situated 8,600 feet above sea level, where video footage recorded by residents showed giant waves of water gushing through the area and swallowing everything in their way, including people and homes.

The Indian Army has deployed 150 personnel, led by Colonel Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 RAJRIF, in rescue and relief operations amid a mudslide in Harsil in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi. Army tracker dogs, drones and earthmoving equipment have been deployed for evacuation and providing essential supplies since Tuesday.

CM Pushkar Dhami, who returned from Andhra Pradesh in the wake of the disaster, headed straight to the State Emergency Operation Centre in Dehradun, where he has been coordinating relief and rescue efforts along with senior officials of the administration, police and others. He said restoring electricity was a top priority and was being taken up on a war footing.