Dehradun. After landing back from Delhi, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami proceeded straight to the State Emergency Operations Centre at IT Park to take stock of the ongoing rescue and relief work for hikers and climbers trapped in Uttarakhand’s high‑altitude zones. He asked officials for a detailed briefing and made it clear that bringing every stranded person back safely was the topmost priority.
Situation Overview
Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman informed the CM that a total of 179 trekkers and mountaineers had reported themselves as stranded while attempting high‑altitude treks across several Himalayan sectors. Of these, 136 were located in the Uttarkashi area and 43 in the Pindari region of Bageshwar.
Progress in Uttarkashi
The Chief Minister examined the rescue effort underway in Uttarkashi. Officials confirmed that 40 of the 136 stranded individuals had already been evacuated safely. Another 40 had declined assistance, opting to continue their expedition. The remaining trekkers will be evacuated as soon as weather conditions permit.
CM Dhami underscored that the safety of trekkers, climbers and their porters must remain the highest priority. He ordered any additional resources to be mobilised without delay and called for seamless coordination among all agencies involved.
Aerial Assets and Medical Support
A total of eight helicopters have been assigned to the operation. The CM instructed officials to utilise these aerial assets at the earliest need and to keep a helicopter‑based ambulance on standby so that immediate medical aid can be rendered to anyone requiring it during the rescue.
Ground Coordination
The CM also spoke directly with the District Magistrate of Uttarkashi. The magistrate reported that, given the prevailing weather, the evacuation of the remaining trekkers would recommence at 06:00 hrs on Monday. The Chief Minister directed that all necessary logistical support be extended to the rescue teams and that the operation be continuously monitored.
He reiterated that the safety of residents, tourists, pilgrims and adventure‑seekers visiting Uttarakhand is a non‑negotiable priority for the state government. All district magistrates and relevant departments were asked to keep a vigilant eye on vulnerable zones and to launch immediate relief and rescue actions whenever an emergency arises.
Review of Char Dham Pilgrimage Arrangements
During the same meeting, the CM evaluated the infrastructure and services provided for the Char Dham Yatra. He took stock of facilities, safety measures, cleanliness and overall pilgrim experience along the sacred routes, urging officials to keep enhancing these aspects.
A special emphasis was placed on instituting a permanent solid‑waste management system at major religious and tourist sites, including the Char Dham. Recognising the growing volume of pilgrimage tourism, the CM asked for a long‑term waste‑handling plan that anticipates future needs.
The Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to devise a coordinated framework that guarantees cleanliness, environmental stewardship and convenience for pilgrims, while safeguarding Uttarakhand’s cultural and natural heritage.
Ensuring Prompt Disaster Response
He reminded officials that government machinery must react swiftly during disasters, leaving no room for compromise on individual safety. Continuous weather monitoring and high alert status for the administration, police, SDRF and other agencies in vulnerable areas were also mandated.
Present at the meeting were Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swarup and senior officials from the Disaster Management Department and related agencies.
