Drones deployed in Karsog search ops
In the aftermath of the devastating natural disaster that struck several parts of the Karsog subdivision on June 30, Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan conducted an extensive on-ground assessment of relief and rehabilitation efforts on Monday. During the visit, he met families who had lost loved ones, offering personal condolences and assuring them of the state government’s unwavering support.
DC Devgan said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is monitoring the situation and is receiving timely updates from the affected regions, including Karsog, Seraj and Dharampur. He added that the CM is reviewing relief operations on a daily basis and is committed to ensuring that no affected family is left behind.
To provide shelter to families whose homes have been completely destroyed, the state government has introduced a provision of Rs 5,000 per month for rented accommodations, ensuring that displaced families have a roof over their heads.
Responding to claims about inadequacies in relief distribution, the DC addressed two specific allegations that had surfaced publicly. One woman from Kandi panchayat in the Seraj Assembly segment had allegedly said she lacked money to buy milk for her children. In another instance, a resident of Thunag claimed that wet blankets were distributed.
The DC categorically refuted both claims. He said all essential supplies, including milk, medicines and food rations, were being adequately provided at relief camps. Regarding the woman’s claim, he clarified that she had not reported any such grievance to officials at the Swandigala Jal Shakti Rest House relief camp, which was closed on July 11. On the blanket issue, the DC confirmed that clean and dry blankets were distributed by the Red Cross on July 1, the day the disaster struck.
Restoration of basic services prioritised
Emphasising rapid restoration, the DC directed departments such as Public Works, Jal Shakti and Electricity to operate on a war footing. Efforts are underway to repair roads, revive drinking water schemes and restore power infrastructure across affected villages.
Over Rs 4 lakh in immediate relief assistance has already been disbursed in the region and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Karsog is personally supervising field operations to ensure efficiency and transparency.
In light of the elevated risk of waterborne diseases, the health department has been equipped with additional stocks of essential medicines. The Karsog Block Medical Officer (BMO) has been directed to ensure uninterrupted medical supplies in remote and rural areas. The public has been advised to boil drinking water as a precautionary step to prevent illness.
Search operations to trace missing persons continue in full swing. Drone-based aerial surveillance is being carried out in multiple high-risk zones, including the Sutlej River, Nihari and Kol Dam areas, to support rescue and recovery missions. Looking ahead, the DC announced that vulnerable water channels (nalas) in the affected areas will be channelised under MGNREGA to minimise future disaster risks. The Block Development Office has been directed to prepare and submit detailed project reports (DPRs) at the earliest.
Himachal Tribune