Dehradun: With the arrival of the monsoon approaching, the Uttarakhand government has shifted into full preparedness mode. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat and directed officials to complete all necessary preparations before the onset of the rainy season and ensure that all departments are fully equipped to handle any disaster situation.
Roads to Be Made Pothole-Free by November 15
The Chief Minister issued clear instructions that all roads across the state must be made pothole-free by November 15, 2026, after the monsoon season ends.
He also directed officials to:
- Complete all unfinished works in last year’s disaster-affected areas before the monsoon.
- Repair bridges, culverts, and drainage systems.
- Ensure timely cleaning of drains and water channels.
- Strengthen infrastructure vulnerable to heavy rainfall.
Focus on Health Preparedness
CM Dhami emphasized the need for robust healthcare arrangements during the monsoon season.
He instructed authorities to:
- Prepare an effective action plan to prevent diseases such as dengue, malaria, and other water-borne infections.
- Ensure adequate stocks of medicines and medical equipment.
- Keep sufficient ambulance services available across the state.
District Magistrates have been directed to maintain updated lists of pregnant women and arrange accommodation near hospitals for women residing in vulnerable areas. The Chief Minister also instructed officials to provide helicopter ambulance services whenever necessary.
Disaster Management Measures
To improve disaster preparedness, officials have been directed to:
- Update maps of landslide, flood, and erosion-prone areas.
- Prepare lists of vulnerable villages, schools, and hospitals.
- Maintain special monitoring on the Char Dham pilgrimage routes and all national and state highways.
- Pre-position JCBs, Pokland machines, dumpers, and cranes at sensitive locations.
- Keep alternative routes ready in areas where roads are frequently blocked.
Flood and Weather Alert Systems
The Chief Minister instructed departments to:
- Install warning boards in flood-prone areas.
- Maintain adequate stocks of relief and rescue materials in every tehsil.
- Ensure 24-hour coordination among the India Meteorological Department, State Emergency Operations Centre, and district control rooms.
- Strengthen systems for delivering weather alerts down to the village level.
He also ordered the removal of encroachments and improvement of drainage systems before the monsoon begins.
Essential Services Must Remain Functional
CM Dhami stressed that essential services such as:
- Electricity
- Drinking water
- Roads
- Telecommunications
should not remain disrupted for long periods during heavy rainfall.
Departments have been instructed to prepare detailed contingency plans and conduct safety audits of electrical lines around sewage treatment plants (STPs) and bridges.
Kainchi Dham Bypass to Open for Traffic
In a major relief announcement, the Chief Minister stated that the Kainchi Dham Bypass will be opened to traffic from Wednesday.
The new bypass is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion faced by pilgrims and local residents visiting the popular religious destination.
International Recognition for Uttarakhand’s Disaster Management Model
During the meeting, CM Dhami welcomed the international recognition received by Uttarakhand’s disaster management model at the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting.
He congratulated:
- Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA)
- State Disaster Response Force
- Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre
and other agencies involved in disaster preparedness and response.
The Chief Minister said the recognition reflects Uttarakhand’s technology-driven approach, effective coordination, and innovations in disaster management, which have strengthened the state’s ability to respond to emergencies and natural calamities.
