Dehradun, July 9, 2013: The Uttarakhand Government on Monday decided to raise a battalion of the State Disaster Response Force on the lines of the National Disaster Response Force.

Announcing this here the Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said the SDRF would comprise of volunteers below the age of 40 from the PAC and other State police agencies. One company each of the SDRF would be stationed at Rudraprayag, Joshimath, Bageshwar and Champawat. The personnel would be trained by the NDRF to act swiftly during natural calamities like floods, landslides and earthquakes.

The number of persons missing after last month’s deluge and landslides in Kedarnath area had reached 4,045 out of which 795 were local persons, the Chief Minister said adding that those who did not return by July 15 would be deemed dead and the ex gratia compensation would be paid to their next of kin through their respective District Magistrates.

A relief of Rs.25,000 each will be given for the water mills that were washed away in the rain fury.

The road building agencies had been asked to repair the roads leading to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib by September end, Mr. Bahuguna said adding that it was safe to visit Mussoorie and Naini Tal and tourists could go their without any fear.

The movement of Kavad yatris beyond Rishikesh had been prohibited due to the repair works on the badly damaged roads to Gangotri.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 9, 2013.