Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena while reviewing the meeting to assess the ongoing monsoon peril in the State, particularly in Chamba, Kullu, and Lahaul-Spiti districts, which have been badly affected by heavy rains, cloudbursts and landslides during the past few days appealed to the people not to believe in any type of rumors and only believe the official information.
As per reports all the pilgrims are safe in Chamba district and the situation is under control as the district administration has been keeping a close watch on the situation 24X7. Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police are stationed in Bharmour are taking all necessary measures to restore normalcy in the area with the support of the local administration.
Telephone connectivity has been restored in Chamba town and is expected to be restored in the tribal belt of Bharmour soon. This was stated by Chief Secretary said that at present the main focus was to evacuate nearly 3,000 Yatris, who were on the way to Manimahesh pilgrimage and have been stranded at Bharmour.
All possible measures were being taken to ensure their safety besides providing boarding and lodging. The Chief Secretary said that as per reports, around 10,000 people were stranded in Chamba town because of massive landslides between Bagga and Durgathi areas on the Chamba–Bharmour road.
If need arises, rations and other necessary items will be airlifted to Bharmour. Shri Saxena directed the local administration to persuade and appeal to the pilgrims who were gathered in Chamba town to return to their home, as restoration of roads will take some time and was not possible at present due to heavy landslides.
He informed that the Speaker, HP Vidhan Sabha, Kuldeep Pathania and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh will visit Chamba tomorrow morning, while the Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi was already on their way to Chamba. He also directed the DGP, HP Police, Secretaries of HPPWD and HPSEBL, and Deputy Director General of department of telecommunications (DoT) to station sufficient officers and staff in Chamba and Bharmour to restore normalcy at the earliest. Apart from this Divisional Commissioner, Kangra and two senior police officers have been asked to rush to Chamba.
The Chief Secretary stated that telphone connectivity in Lahaul Spiti has been restored partially as Jio network has been put in order. Besides, the Electric sub-Station at Thirot has been made functional. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the situation in Kullu and Lahaul Spiti and directed the concerned district administration to take every possible measure to restore normalcy.
The meeting was attended by DGP Ashok Tiwari, ACS (Home) K.K. Pant, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar also attended the meeting amongst other senior officers from various departments.