Dehradun. Fresh from Delhi, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami proceeded directly to the State Emergency Operations Centre at IT Park to take stock of the ongoing relief and rescue drive for trekkers and mountaineers marooned in Uttarakhand’s high‑altitude Himalayas. He demanded a real‑time briefing and made it clear that the safe return of every stranded soul was the administration’s utmost priority.
Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman briefed the CM that a total of 179 trekkers and mountaineers have been reported missing while undertaking high‑altitude treks across several Himalayan zones. Of these, 136 are in Uttarkashi and 43 in the Pindari belt of Bageshwar.
Rescue Operation in Uttarkashi
The chief minister examined the Uttarkashi effort in detail. Officials confirmed that 40 of the 136 stranded persons have already been evacuated safely. Another 40 have voluntarily declined rescue, preferring to continue their expedition. The remaining groups will be evacuated as soon as weather permits and the situation stabilises.
Dhami instructed all agencies to treat the safety of trekkers, mountaineers and their porters as a non‑negotiable priority. He ordered the immediate mobilisation of any additional resources required and stressed the need for seamless coordination among the police, SDRF, district administration and disaster‑management teams.
Aerial Assets and Medical Support
The CM was informed that eight helicopters have been dispatched for the rescue mission. He directed the officials to employ these aerial assets without delay and to keep a helicopter‑ambulance on standby for swift medical intervention wherever needed.
A phone conversation with the District Magistrate of Uttarkashi clarified that, given the prevailing weather, the next phase of evacuations is slated to resume at 06:00 hrs on Monday. Dhami emphasized the provision of all necessary logistics, continuous monitoring, and unwavering support to the rescue teams on the ground.
Broader Safety Outlook
He reiterated that the welfare of residents, tourists, pilgrims and trekkers visiting Uttarakhand remains a top‑line commitment of the state government. All district magistrates and relevant departments were urged to keep a vigilant eye on vulnerable zones and to trigger immediate relief and rescue actions in any emergency.
Review of Char Dham Yatra Arrangements
Char Dham Yatra preparations were also examined during the meeting. The CM surveyed the current state of facilities, safety protocols, sanitation standards and overall pilgrim experience at the Char Dham shrines and along the pilgrimage routes, urging continuous upgrades.
A special focus was placed on instituting a permanent solid‑waste‑management framework at major religious and tourist sites, including the Char Dham. Recognising the swelling numbers of pilgrims, the CM called for a long‑term waste‑handling plan that anticipates future demand.
He tasked the concerned departments with devising a coordinated system that guarantees cleanliness, environmental stewardship and pilgrim convenience, while safeguarding Uttarakhand’s cultural and natural heritage.
Finally, the CM underscored the necessity for the government machinery to respond instantaneously during disasters, ensuring that no individual’s safety is compromised. Continuous weather monitoring and high alert status for administration, police, SDRF and allied agencies in vulnerable areas were mandated.
Present at the briefing were Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swarup, and senior officials from the Disaster Management Department and allied ministries.
