Inter-Ministerial Central Team Conducts Extensive Survey of Disaster-Hit Tharali, Chamoli
Chamoli (Tharali): An inter-ministerial central team from the Government of India on Monday carried out a detailed aerial and ground survey of the disaster-affected regions of Tharali to assess the damage caused by continuous rains and landslides.
Led by Director Dr. Virendra Singh, the high-level team included senior officials from various ministries, such as Under Secretary Sher Bahadur and Superintending Engineer Sudhir Kumar. The team inspected several critical landslide-prone areas, including Chepado, Kotdeep, Radibagadh, Mopata (Dewal) and the Nandanagar region, both via helicopter reconnaissance and on-site road inspections.
During a review meeting held at the Kulsari Relief Center, District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari presented a detailed department-wise damage assessment through a PowerPoint presentation. He informed the team that:
👉🏻 Landslides behind residential clusters in Chepado market and other nearby areas have posed severe risks.
👉🏻 Roads, bridges, drinking water schemes, electricity infrastructure, agriculture and several buildings have sustained heavy damage due to incessant rains and repeated landslides.
👉🏻 Departmental assets worth approximately ₹1,150 crore have been damaged in the district.
👉🏻 Fresh landslides are active in Palla village (Jyotirmath block) and in several parts of Nandanagar, further endangering lives and connectivity.
The field visit revealed that transportation has been badly disrupted, with several villages completely cut off from main roads. Homes have suffered significant structural damage, and many families have been relocated to safer shelters.
The inter-ministerial team interacted directly with local residents to gather firsthand accounts of the damage and their immediate needs. They also reviewed the progress of relief, rehabilitation, and road-clearing operations, inquiring about ration supply, medical facilities, temporary shelters, and steps being taken to restore normalcy at the earliest.
Commending the local administration, police, NDRF, and allied agencies for their swift disaster response, Director Dr. Virendra Singh emphasized that the visit aimed to collect accurate ground-level data. This information will be compiled into a comprehensive report for the Government of India to plan targeted assistance, infrastructure restoration, and long-term safety measures for the affected areas.
Local representatives, including Tharali MLA Bhupal Ram Tamta, District Panchayat President Daulat Singh Bisht, Municipal Council President Sunita Rawat, Superintendent of Police Sarvesh Pawar, Additional District Officer Vivek Prakash, SDMs Sohan Singh Rangan and Pankaj Bhatt, along with departmental officials and villagers, were present during the team’s visit.
