Dehradun. With Red and Orange weather alerts in force across Uttarakhand, the state machinery has stepped up surveillance and relief‑and‑rescue measures in the rain‑hit districts. Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan visited the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) late on Sunday to take stock of the downpours, river rises and the cascading impact on infrastructure and communities. He instructed every department to stay in close coordination and remain on heightened alert 24 hours a day.

Key Points Discussed at the SEOC Briefing

The Chief Secretary solicited district‑level updates on rainfall totals, river water levels, road closures, landslide‑prone zones, ongoing rescue missions, and the status of electricity, water supply and telecommunications. District Magistrates were asked to compile comprehensive damage assessments and forward them promptly to the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) to accelerate relief distribution and restoration work.

Road‑Repair Campaign Accelerated

Echoing Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s directive, the Chief Secretary mandated that all districts finish the pothole‑free road drive by 15 October. Officials must also evaluate damage to public assets, tally any loss of life, and ensure that affected families receive compensation in line with prevailing regulations.

Char Dham Pilgrimage Contingent on Weather

Regarding the Char Dham Yatra, the Chief Secretary stressed that pilgrim safety is paramount. The pilgrimage may proceed only after a thorough weather‑risk assessment. If heavy rain or blocked routes threaten safety, pilgrims should be halted at secure points and provided with shelter and basic amenities until conditions improve.

Continuous River Monitoring

Authorities were ordered to keep a 24‑hour watch on river levels and to issue advance warnings to downstream communities, especially when water releases from dams or barrages are scheduled.

Special Care for Vulnerable Populations

District officials must closely track pregnant women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and patients with serious ailments during the ongoing rains. Those in high‑risk zones should be relocated to safe shelters or medical facilities as needed, and helicopter evacuation services should be arranged where ground access is compromised. To curb dengue outbreaks, hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres are to maintain adequate stocks of test kits, medicines, blood, beds and staff.

Helicopter Rescue Operation for Stranded Trekkers

The Chief Secretary also reviewed the situation of trekkers trapped on high‑altitude routes in Uttarkashi and Bageshwar. He directed that a helicopter‑based rescue mission commence at 06:00 hrs on 28 September. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has been tasked with mobilising sufficient helicopters and, if necessary, deploying extra aircraft.

Rescue teams must stay in constant contact with the stranded trekkers, monitor their health and location, and ensure that each rescued individual undergoes immediate medical screening. AIIMS Rishikesh and Srinagar Medical College have been put on standby to provide advanced care when required. Additionally, every rescue helicopter must be equipped with a satellite phone to guarantee uninterrupted communication in remote, network‑poor zones.