Relief Package Announced for Pauri on the Lines of Dharali & Tharali: Dhami
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has announced a special relief package for the disaster-affected people of Pauri district, similar to those provided earlier in Dharali and Tharali. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, during a high-level review meeting of the Disaster Management Department on Tuesday, said that the state government stands shoulder to shoulder with the victims in this hour of crisis.
Families of deceased and owners of fully damaged houses to receive ₹5 lakh
The Chief Minister declared that families whose houses were completely destroyed in the August 6 disaster in Pauri will receive financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each. Similarly, the families of the deceased will also be given ₹5 lakh each. The compensation will be arranged partly through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and partly from the Chief Minister’s Discretionary Fund. CM Dhami instructed officials to ensure that relief is disbursed at the earliest and affected families receive immediate support.
Rescue operations carried out on a war footing
Emphasizing the government’s commitment, the CM said, “Whether it is Dharali, Tharali, Syanachatti or Pauri, relief and rescue operations have been carried out on a war footing. Our government will leave no stone unturned in the rehabilitation of the affected families.” He also appreciated the timely response and efforts of the district administrations of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Pauri.
Massive Loss Due to Heavy Rain and Landslides
On August 6, heavy rainfall triggered landslides in Sainji (Patti Bali Kandarsyun) and Raidul (Patti Padulsyun) villages under Pauri tehsil, causing extensive damage to houses, farmland, and public infrastructure. Following CM Dhami’s directions, the district administration immediately shifted affected families to safe shelters and arranged food, accommodation, and other essential supplies.
Expert Team to Study Disasters in Tharali and Pauri
During the meeting, CM Dhami also instructed officials to send a team of experts to Tharali to investigate the reasons behind the August 22 disaster there. He stressed the need for a comprehensive scientific study, similar to the one conducted in Dharali, to understand why frequent landslides and heavy debris flows are occurring in the Himalayan region.
Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman informed that institutions such as the Geological Survey of India, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, National Institute of Hydrology (Roorkee), Uttarakhand Landslide Reduction and Management Centre, Central Water Commission, and the Irrigation Department have been directed to nominate experts for the study. A formal communication in this regard has already been sent by Additional Secretary Anand Swaroop.
The experts will assess the causes of floods and landslides at key locations in Tharali tehsil, including the Radibagad tehsil office, residential complexes, Tharali market, and nearby villages like Chapdon and Sagwada. Their recommendations will help the state government adopt effective mitigation measures and improve future disaster preparedness.
Central and State Governments United for Relief
CM Dhami reiterated that both the state and central governments are united in supporting the disaster-affected. He assured that the best possible rehabilitation measures will be taken, ensuring long-term safety and stability for the affected communities.
