Relief work intensified after cloudburst in Dharali–Harsil, CM Dhami monitoring operations

Relief and restoration efforts have been stepped up in the Dharali–Harsil region after the devastating cloudburst of August 5. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, rescue work is being carried out on a war footing, officials said.

District Magistrate Prashant Arya on Sunday personally inspected the damaged stretches of Harsil, Dharali and the Gangotri National Highway. He also reviewed landslide-hit portions of the road and directed BRO, PWD and other agencies to ensure smooth traffic flow.

The administration said essential services including food, electricity, water, health, and communication are being restored in the affected areas. “All necessary steps are being taken to restore the lives of the people again,” officials added.

At Dabrani, Arya assessed the ongoing work on the damaged section of the highway and instructed engineers to deploy all resources to complete repairs at the earliest. Despite adverse weather, efforts are continuing to reopen the routes quickly.

Meanwhile, critically ill patients from remote villages were evacuated by helicopter. A district official told ANI, "75-year-old Pratima Devi of Jaspur village has been suffering from respiratory disease for a long time. 61-year-old elderly woman Chandrabala is suffering from a serious stomach problem. When the health of both of them suddenly deteriorated, the administration took immediate action and sent them to the district hospital by air service."

The cloudburst on August 5 also caused the Kheer Ganga River to swell suddenly, leading to extensive damage in the Bhatwadi–Gangotri belt.