Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered an immediate evacuation of around 600 families living in house that developed cracks in the “sinking town”, Joshimath. CM Dhami conducted a video conference with the officials over the Uttarakhand, Joshimath’s condition.

Chief Minister Dhami Stance On Sinking Town

“Saving lives is our first priority. Officials have been asked to shift around 600 families living in endangered houses in Joshimath to safe locations,” Dhami told reporters here after reviewing the situation in the sinking town with officials via video conference.

“We are also working on short and long-term plans to address the situation in Joshimath,” the chief minister said.

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami will visit Joshimath on Saturday, meet the affected people and hold a meeting with officials.

Further, he added, Garhwal Commissioner Sushil Kumar and secretary disaster management Ranjit Kumar Sinha along with a team of experts are camping on the ground to constantly monitor the situation.

In the video conference, Relocation of people in affected areas should be done expeditiously, CM told the officials.

Medical treatment facilities should be available on ground and arrangements for airlifting people should also be made, he said.

An immediate action plan, as well as a long-term action plan, should be prepared, and work on both should be started in right earnest, Dhami said. Procedures should be simplified to expedite work on the treatment of danger zones, sewer, and drainage.

“Lives Of Our Citizens Are Important To Us”: CM Dhami

Ahead of the conference, CM said, “Lives of our citizens are most important to us.”

He also said that a disaster control room should also be set up in the town. The town should be divided into sectors, zones and action should be taken accordingly.

For permanent rehabilitation of affected people, alternative locations should be identified in Pipalkoti, Gauchar, and other places, he said.

The district magistrate should stay in touch with people and the potential danger zones should also be identified.

Also Read: Residents Evacuate From ‘Sinking Joshimath’ Amid House Cracks

“Moving people to safe locations is necessary. Satellite images can also be useful in this. All departments should act with a team spirit to achieve success in the exercise,” he said.

In order to help people, adequate deployment of State Disaster Response Force and National Disaster Response Force should form, he added.

Also, helicopter services should be made available if required.

-Bharat Express