The CAG has pulled up the Uttarakhand government for lack of preparedness to deal with the effects of the 2013 natural disaster saying the delay in response by state machinery was one of the major factors which added to the magnitude of the tragedy which killed around 4000 people including chardham pilgrims.
In its audit report tabled in the state assembly during its just concluded two-day session, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has cited various factors which aggravated the disaster of June 2013.
Non-implementation of recommendations of an expert committee on glaciers, absence of a policy to regulate use of explosives for infrastructure development works in the fragile Himalayan region and non-implementation of the Centre’s directives for safe disposal of muck generated by excavations in the course of construction activities were some of the factors.
It also puts the state government in the dock for its weaknesses in terms of preparedness for dealing with the calamity caused by torrential rains of unseen magnitude on June 16-17, 2013. It said state machinery as well as district administration could not respond effectively, on account of poor weather and lack of preparedness to mitigate widespread loss of human lives.
“The State Disaster Management Authority was virtually non-functional and not able to put in place the disaster management plan prior to June 2013 disaster. The Emergency Operation Centres both at the state and district levels were running without adequate manpower, equipment and essential communication networks,” the report said.