Uttarakhand: Strict action against those who spread false information about the bridge being washed away and a lake being formed in Dharchula, case filed against those who spread false information

Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman has taken a tough stand against those who spread misleading and wrong information about the disaster. On the instructions of the Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, a case has been registered on Saturday against the person who spread wrong and misleading information about the bridge breaking and dam construction due to cloudburst in Kulagarh in Dharchula tehsil. Suman has instructed all the districts to deal strictly against those who spread misleading information about the disaster.

Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman, who reached the State Emergency Operations Center located at Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority on Saturday, said that on Friday evening, information about the bridge breaking and dam construction due to cloudburst in Kulagarh located in Dharchula tehsil was broadcast on various social media platforms. The State Emergency Operations Center immediately alerted the district administration. When the Pithoragarh district administration gathered information about this incident, this information was found to be wrong. He said that the person who spread the misleading information has been identified and a case has been registered against him.

Secretary Suman said that there is a clear provision in Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act 2005 that if a person disseminates misleading information about disasters, then there is also a provision of one year imprisonment and fine on conviction. He said that if any person disseminates such information in future, strict action will be taken against him. Additional Chief Executive Officer (Administration) Anand Swaroop directed to test the sirens of various dams on a regular basis.

Additional Chief Executive Officer (Implementation) Rajkumar Negi, Joint Chief Executive Officer Mohd. Obaidullah Ansari, SEOC Day Incharge Manish Bhagat, Rohit Kumar, Hemant Bisht were present in the meeting. DDMOs of all the districts participated online in the meeting.

Relief amount should be received soon, teams will be formed at the block level

In case of loss of life, animal loss or property after the disaster, the assistance amount should reach the affected within twenty-four hours, for this the Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation directed to form teams at the block level in all the districts. He said that this team will survey the spot immediately after the disaster and assess the damage. He directed to form more teams to provide relief to the flood affected people in Udham Singh Nagar district. He also took cognizance of the delay in settlement of claims at the level of insurance companies. He said that the insurance companies should immediately survey and settle the claims, this should be ensured at the district level.

Postmortem of animals will be done on the spot

Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation directed to go to the spot and conduct postmortem of dead animals in case of animal loss during the disaster. He said that it is quite challenging to bring dead animals to the veterinary hospital in hilly areas. He directed all the DMMOs to coordinate with the Animal Husbandry Department in this regard and the postmortem of the animal should be done at the place where it died. He said that animal insurance cases should also be settled quickly by establishing coordination with the insurance companies.

Kanwariyas will not be able to go to Gaumukh to collect water

Due to the damage of wooden bridges beyond Gangotri Dham, Kanwariyas will not be able to go to Gaumukh to collect water during the Kanwar Yatra this time. Uttarkashi District Disaster Management Officer Devendra Patwal said that the wooden bridges beyond Gangotri Dham are damaged, so in view of safety, Kanwariyas will not be sent beyond this. They will have to return after collecting water from Gangotri.

IRS will be notified in the state soon

Notification of IRS i.e. Incident Response System will be issued soon. Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman said that this proposal will be placed in the next meeting of the Authority. Its notification will be issued as soon as it gets approval from the Cabinet.

SDRF personnel will be deployed in Bhikiyasain

Secretary Disaster Management has given instructions to deploy SDRF personnel in Bhikiyasain so that SDRF personnel can provide immediate relief and rescue during disaster in Salt, Chaukhutia, Bhikiyasain and its surrounding areas. On the suggestion of DMMO Almora Vineet Pal, he directed to deploy soldiers from the SDRF battalion stationed in Kasardevi in ​​Bhikiyasain.