Uttarkashi Flood Victims Protest, Calling Rs 5,000 Relief Cheques A ‘Joke’ After Being Promised Rs 5 Lakh

Residents of the flood-ravaged Dharali village in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district have refused to accept government relief cheques of Rs 5,000, calling the amount a “cruel joke” in the face of the catastrophic destruction caused by a recent flash flood. The distribution of what authorities termed “immediate relief” has sparked protests, with affected families in Dharali and Harshil accusing the Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government of trivializing their immense losses.

The anger on the ground stands in stark contrast to the government’s broader promises. Chief Minister Dhami had previously announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for families whose homes were completely destroyed and for the kin of those killed in the disaster. However, the initial handout of just Rs 5,000 has been met with dismay.

Defending the administration’s actions, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya clarified that this was only an interim payment. “After evaluating the entire loss and preparing a detailed report, proper compensation will be given,” he assured. A three-member committee, headed by the Revenue Secretary, has been formed to create a rehabilitation plan, with a preliminary report expected within a week.

Meanwhile, rescue and relief operations continued for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday. Helicopters evacuated stranded individuals and dropped essential food supplies to cut-off areas. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, aided by a dog squad and thermal imaging equipment, are tirelessly scouring the rubble in Dharali bazar, where a massive mudslide on Tuesday flattened hotels, shops, and homes.

The official toll from the tragedy stands at five confirmed dead, with two bodies recovered and 49 people still missing. Over 1,000 people have been evacuated from isolated areas.

Chief Minister Dhami stated that the government’s immediate priority of evacuating all trapped people is nearly complete. He added that efforts are now focused on restoring electricity, mobile networks, and road access, while community kitchens provide essential supplies to the survivors. The administration is also conducting a survey to assess the full extent of damage to homes and property to process the final compensation claims.