Dehradun. Following the issuance of red and orange weather alerts by the state’s meteorological department, Uttarakhand’s administration has stepped up surveillance and relief measures across rain‑battered districts. Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan arrived at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) late Sunday to assess the situation and ordered all agencies to stay on high alert around the clock.

Key Points Discussed in the SEOC Briefing

  • Latest rainfall totals and river stage readings
  • Road closures, landslide‑prone zones, and ongoing rescue missions
  • Status of electricity, water supply and communication networks

District magistrates were instructed to compile comprehensive damage reports and forward them promptly to the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) to accelerate relief distribution.

Road‑Repair Drive Targeted for Completion by Mid‑October

Acting on Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s directive, the Chief Secretary asked every district to finish a pothole‑free road campaign by 15 October. Officials must also evaluate losses to public assets, record any fatalities, and ensure compensation is provided according to existing guidelines.

Char Dham Pilgrimage to Proceed Only When Safe

The safety of pilgrims was underscored as the top priority. The pilgrimage will resume only after a thorough weather assessment. If heavy rain or blocked passes threaten safety, pilgrims will be halted at designated safe points and supplied with necessary amenities until conditions improve.

Continuous river‑level monitoring was mandated, with advance warnings to downstream communities whenever dam releases are anticipated.

Special Care for Vulnerable Populations

District officials received explicit orders to keep a close watch on pregnant women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and patients with serious illnesses. Those in high‑risk zones should be relocated to secure shelters or medical facilities, and helicopter evacuation must be arranged where ground transport is unsafe.

To curb a potential dengue surge, district hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres were directed to stock adequate testing kits, medicines, blood units, beds and staff.

Helicopter Evacuation of Stranded Trekkers Set for 28 September

The Chief Secretary reviewed the rescue plan for trekkers trapped on high‑altitude routes in Uttarkashi and Bageshwar. He ordered the launch of a helicopter‑based evacuation at 06:00 hours on 28 September.

The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has been tasked with mobilising a sufficient fleet of helicopters and, if needed, deploying extra aircraft. Rescue teams must maintain constant contact with the stranded groups, tracking their locations and health status.

All rescued trekkers will undergo immediate medical screening, with AIIMS Rishikesh and Srinagar Medical College on standby for advanced care.

Each rescue helicopter will be equipped with a satellite phone to guarantee uninterrupted communication in remote, network‑poor zones.