Uttarakhand: 42 people including nine soldiers missing in Uttarkashi disaster, one body recovered, search continues in the debris

So far 42 people are reported missing in the Uttarkashi disaster. This information has been given by Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey.

42 people including nine soldiers missing in Uttarkashi disaster

Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey gave information about the relief and rescue operations being carried out in connection with the Dharali disaster and the efforts to search for the missing people in the disaster control room in Uttarkashi. Giving information, the Garhwal Commissioner said that according to the information received so far, 42 people were reported missing in the disaster. Out of which the body of Akash Panwar, a youth from Dharali village, has been recovered.

29 Nepali workers missing

Among the remaining 42 missing people, 9 are army personnel. Also, 8 people from Dharali village and 5 from nearby areas are included. At the same time, 1 person from Tehri district, 13 from Bihar and 6 from Uttar Pradesh are also reported missing. Apart from these, 29 Nepali workers were also reported missing, out of which 5 persons have been contacted after the mobile network was restored. Regarding the remaining 24 workers, no further details have been received from their contractors.

Instructions given to collect details of workers

The Garhwal Commissioner said that the concerned contractors have been asked to obtain their mobile numbers and other information from where these workers have been brought. He also informed that the distribution of ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh has been started on an immediate basis to the disaster affected people of Dharali village. As per the announcement of the CM, a better package of relief and rehabilitation is being prepared for the affected people. For which a three-member high-level committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Secretary Revenue.

1,278 people evacuated safely: Garhwal Commissioner

The Garhwal Commissioner said that 1,278 people have been evacuated safely by running a rescue operation on a war footing in the disaster affected area. All the outsiders and needy local people trapped in the affected area have been evacuated from there. Searching for people buried under the debris is the top priority of the government. For which a special officer along with the NDRF team is deployed on the spot. He said that the SDRF IG is also camping on the spot.

DM camping in the affected area

A special team of 10 expert geologists has also been sent from Dehradun. District Magistrate Uttarkashi is continuously camping in the affected area to conduct relief and rescue operations and search operations promptly. Adequate amount of food grains, clothes and daily use items have been made available to the affected.

Work to restore road connectivity continues

Pandey said that the work to restore road connectivity in the disaster affected area is going on rapidly. The construction of Bailey Bridge in Limchyagad has been completed last night. Now the work of restoring the damaged road in Dabrani and Sonagad area is going on. Road connectivity is expected to be restored in this area by Tuesday evening. After the construction of Bailey Bridge in Limchyagad, heavy machines have been sent to Dabrani area.