Dehradun: Secretary of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, on Wednesday informed that relief and rescue teams are actively engaged in operations on a war footing in the disaster-affected areas of Uttarkashi district. Due to blocked roads, several teams are currently stranded at various locations. However, road clearance efforts are progressing rapidly, and as soon as access is restored, all teams will proceed to Ground Zero to intensify rescue efforts.
Key roads in Bhatwadi, Harsil, and Papadgad remain blocked, although the road to Uttarkashi has been cleared. Bridges at Ganganani and Lincha have sustained damage. Bailey bridges are being constructed at these points to restore vehicular movement.
Deployment of Human Resources:
Indian Army:
150 personnel from Rajputana Rifles and 12 from the Ghatak Battalion are currently present at Ground Zero and involved in rescue operations.
40 soldiers have been dispatched on foot from Nelang, while a 50-member medical team has reached Tekla.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP):
100 personnel, including officers, doctors, and jawans, are already on-site.
An additional 130 ITBP personnel have been sent to the affected areas.
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF):
6 personnel have been stationed in Dharali since Tuesday.
10 jawans equipped with satellite phones have reached Bhatwadi, 7 are in Lata, and 7 in Gangotri.
20 personnel have been sent from Ujeli-Dhalwala Battalion, while 8 are kept in reserve at Sahastradhara Helipad.
6 dog squad teams have also reached Ujeli.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF):
79 personnel are stranded at Papadgad, out of which 15 have been successfully moved ahead.
7 jawans have departed from Gauchar towards Uttarkashi.
Two standby teams of 50 and 24 members each are stationed at Jolly Grant Airport, while 15 personnel are on standby at Sahastradhara Helipad.
Fire Services:
4 personnel from the Gangotri Fire Unit are present at the disaster site.
3 additional teams from neighboring districts are on alert mode at Uttarkashi Fire Station.
The Fire Station Safety Officer (FSSO) of Uttarkashi is stranded due to road blockage.
Medical Response and Preparedness:
A medical team from District Hospital Uttarkashi has departed for the affected site.
An 11-member team of specialists from Doon Medical College, along with a 5-member expert team from the Health Department, has also been deployed.
A separate team of 10 doctors is on standby for post-mortem services.
A team of psychiatrists has been formed and is being dispatched to address mental health needs.
Ambulance Services:
25 ambulances have been prepared, with 10 kept on standby.
ICU and General Beds Reserved:
A total of 65 ICU beds and 270 general beds have been reserved across:
CHC Bhatwadi
Chinyalisaur
District Hospital Uttarkashi
District Hospital Dehradun
Doon Medical College
AIIMS Rishikesh
At around 5 PM, a 4-member advanced medical team reached Harsil, comprising a surgeon, gynecologist, anesthetist, and a senior local doctor.
