26 April 2025: Vice Chairman of the State Disaster Management Advisory Committee, Mr. Vinay Kumar Ruhela, held a meeting; said – Be prepared for both the Char Dham Yatra and the monsoon
Even the Smallest Needs of Pilgrims Must Be Taken Care Of” – Ruhela
Vice Chairman of the State Disaster Management Advisory Committee Mr. Vinay Kumar Ruhela Held a Review Meeting, Said – Be Prepared for Both Char Dham Yatra and Monsoon Dehradun: On the directions of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Vice Chairman of the State Disaster Management Advisory Committee, Mr. Vinay Kumar Ruhela, on Saturday, conducted an online meeting with all districts from the Uttarakhand State Emergency Operation Centre, under the State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA), to review preparations for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra and monsoon and issued necessary instructions.
He stated that the Char Dham Yatra is about to begin in a few days, and within two months, the monsoon season will also commence. The upcoming five months will be highly challenging, so it is essential that robust preparations are made at every level, ensuring a hassle-free experience for both the pilgrims from across the country and abroad and the residents of the state during the monsoon.
Mr. Ruhela noted that the Char Dham Yatra and tourist season are starting simultaneously in Uttarakhand, and thus ensuring the safety of visitors during any disaster is crucial. He instructed all districts to carefully address even the smallest needs of pilgrims, so they return home with a positive experience. Landslide-prone areas must be identified and marked with proper signage to alert travelers. Additionally, 24×7 deployment of JCBs and other necessary equipment at these locations must be ensured.
He emphasized immediate repair of roads to make them pothole-free, so that during the rains, waterlogging does not lead to accidents.
He added that Hon’ble Chief Minister himself is conducting regular meetings with various departments regarding the Char Dham Yatra, and all arrangements on the routes and at the shrines are being strengthened. Authorities must provide all essential information to pilgrims at check-in points so they can follow government guidelines.
Disaster Management Department is on Alert Mode Secretary, Disaster Management & Rehabilitation, Mr. Vinod Kumar Suman, stated that under the guidance of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, the Disaster Management Department is on high alert, regularly coordinating with all departments.
To prevent road accidents during the Char Dham Yatra, it must be ensured that vehicles move only during scheduled hours. He noted that April and May are the best months to prepare for monsoon challenges and waterlogging. Drain cleaning work must begin immediately so that flooding does not occur during the rains. All departments must identify and list out available flood management resources for timely deployment when needed.
He also instructed verification of all rescue and relief equipment available at police stations, tehsils, and other offices to ensure they are fully functional and operated by trained personnel.
Identify Flood-Prone Areas and Prepare Plans Mr. Suman asked districts to identify colonies or areas that face flooding every year, and based on ten-year data, prepare an effective action plan. All districts must promptly update the NDMA Information System (NDMIS) portal, so there is no delay in fund disbursement from the central government.
Present at the meeting were Additional Chief Executive Officer (Admin) Mr. Anand Swaroop, Additional CEO (Implementation) DIG Mr. Rajkumar Negi, Finance Controller Mr. Abhishek Kumar Anand, Joint CEO Mr. Obaidullah Ansari, Section Officer Mr. Suresh Pandey, Senior Administrative Officer Mr. Rakesh Mohan Khangariyal, Mr. Rohit Kumar, Dr. Vedika Pant, Dr. Pooja Rana, Mr. Hemant Bisht, Ms. Tandrila Sarkar, among others.
Uttarakhand – A Military-Dominated State, All Soldiers are Our Assets Dehradun: Secretary Mr. Vinod Kumar Suman said that Uttarakhand is a military-dominated state, and all soldiers are valuable assets. Ex-servicemen can play a vital role in effective disaster management. Districts must create a database of ex-servicemen and utilize their expertise in disaster-related activities.
State-Level Mock Drill on Earthquake Soon Mr. Suman announced that as per directions from the Chief Secretary, a statewide mock drill on earthquakes will be conducted soon. It will be organized at places where more than 500 people assemble, such as colleges, malls, hospitals, etc., covering scenarios like earthquakes, fire, chemical spills, and stampedes. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will also be developed, and districts should begin preparations immediately.
He also instructed districts to run awareness campaigns to encourage maximum downloads of the Bhudev app.
FIR to be Filed Against Those Spreading Fake Disaster News Mr. Suman cautioned that during monsoon, miscreants often spread rumors and fake disaster videos, creating panic among the public. Districts must file FIRs against such individuals immediately.
Food Arrangements for Pilgrims if Routes Are Blocked In case of roadblocks during the Char Dham Yatra, adequate food and drink arrangements must be ensured by local administrations. Hon’ble CM has clearly instructed that no pilgrim should go hungry if stopped en route. Milk for small children should also be provided. If a route is diverted, clear signage must be installed, especially at intersections and junctions, to prevent travelers from getting lost.
No Shortage of Funds for Disaster Relief – Release Immediately Mr. Suman said that relief camp locations should be identified in advance, and arrangements like electricity, water, food, and healthcare should be pre-planned. Even fodder and veterinary care for animals must be included. He emphasized that Hon’ble CM has empowered District Magistrates to take swift decisions for disaster response and that there is no shortage of funds in the SDRF or SDMF. Any required amount will be made available immediately.
Satellite Phones Must Be Placed Where Needed Most Mr. Anand Swaroop stated that if there is a shortage of staff at District Emergency Operation Centers, arrangements must be made in advance. All satellite phones must be checked and deployed only where they are actually needed.
Act Promptly on All Alerts DIG Mr. Rajkumar Negi emphasized that all alerts sent from the SEOC to the districts must be acted upon promptly to ensure effective disaster response. He also noted the need for classification of roads to avoid confusion over departmental responsibilities.