PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Jyotirmath/ Dehradun Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited disaster affected areas of Chamoli district on Saturday. He also conducted an aerial survey of the disaster affected areas of Rudraprayag district on the day. The CM first visited the Nandanagar area of Chamoli district and inspected the damage caused. He assured the disaster affected families that the State government stands fully with them in this hour of crisis. Reviewing the relief works, he directed the officers to undertake a detailed assessment of the damage in the affected areas. The Chief Minister also presented cheques of Rs five lakh each to the families of the deceased during his visit. The CM visited disaster-affected Kuntari Laga Phali and Kuntari Laga Sarpani and conducted an aerial survey of Dhurma, Mokh, Kundi, Banswara and Mokhmalla villages. The CM directed the officers to continue working diligently to carry out relief and infrastructure restoration work with full capacity and speed and ensure that life returns back to normal soon. He said that the work of ensuring smooth supply of electricity and drinking water to affected areas and restoring road connectivity to all areas should be completed on priority. The district magistrate of Chamoli, Sandeep Tiwari informed the CM about the rescue and relief operations and said that so far 12 injured people have been referred to higher health centres via helicopter. Cabinet minister Dhan Singh Rawat, Tharali MLA Bhupal Ram Tamta, district Panchayat president Daulat Singh Bisht, SP Sarvesh Panwar and other officers accompanied the CM. Later in the day the CM conducted an aerial survey of Taljaman, Dungar, Badeth, Jaula, Kamad, Uchhola, Chainagad and Patuy villages of the disaster-affected Basukedar area of Rudraprayag district. He then held a meeting at the auditorium of district Panchayat in Rudraprayag in which he reviewed the rescue and relief operations, the availability of electricity, drinking water, medical and health facilities, the status of damaged roads and the arrangements for the Kedarnath Yatra. The CM said that the entire state faced the challenge of the disaster during this year’s monsoon season. Dhami expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending full support to the state and said after meeting disaster affected people he announced a sum of Rs 1,200 crore for providing immediate relief in the affected areas. He directed the officers to remain on alert mode till September 30. He said that the number of pilgrims to Kedarnath Dham is expected to increase rapidly after the monsoon and the administration should remain prepared for this. “The safety of pilgrims is our top priority and efforts should be made on a war footing to ensure a smooth journey,’’ he said. The district magistrate of Rudraprayag Prateek Jain gave a detailed presentation to the CM on the disaster situation and the status of relief and rescue operations. Cabinet minister Dhan Singh Rawat, MLAs Bharat Chaudhary and Asha Nautiyal and officers of the administration and police attended the meeting.
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