Inspection begins for relocation of disaster-hit families from Uttarkashi’s Dharali

Assistant geologist Pradeep Kumar said a team has so far conducted field inspections of land parcels identified by 30 affected families in the first phase of the process

Published on: Mar 14, 2026, 21:59:45 IST

By Neeraj Santoshi

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The authorities have accelerated the permanent relocation of 115 families from Uttarakhand’s Dharali, months after the flash floods in August last year ravaged it and buried parts of the area under 15 to 20 metres of debris and left scores missing. A geological inspection of the land identified for relocation in Bhatwari began on Saturday, officials said

The inspection being carried out as part of the relocation process.

The administration said the idea is to rehabilitate families whose houses were buried under debris and lack proper residential arrangements.

Assistant geologist Pradeep Kumar said a team conducted field inspections of land parcels identified by 30 affected families in the first phase of the relocation process. The inspection was carried out in the presence of a revenue sub-inspector and residents, during which the safety, geological characteristics, and long-term stability of the land were carefully assessed.

Kumar said the exercise is being carried out in coordination with the sub-divisional magistrate of Bhatwari, and a detailed geological report will be submitted to district magistrate Prashant Arya for action and approval of the next phase of the relocation process.

Officials clarified that the remaining affected families can inform the tehsil office about their proposed land at any time, after which geological inspections of those plots will also be conducted.

Arya has directed officials to ensure no laxity in the relocation process so that the affected families can receive relief and rehabilitation at the earliest.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neeraj Santoshi
Neeraj Santoshi is the Chief of Bureau for Hindustan Times in Uttarakhand, where he leads the state reporting team while covering government, politics, environment, wildlife, Uttarakhand High Court, and issues shaping the Himalayan region. With more than two decades in journalism across conflict zones, he has covered politically sensitive regions and environmentally fragile landscapes, and focused on stories that combine public interest with in-depth storytelling. An alumnus of Pune University with a Master’s in Communication Studies, he has reported extensively from Jammu & Kashmir (2003-2010), Madhya Pradesh (2010 to 2018 ) and Uttarakhand (Since 2018), covering subjects ranging from insurgency, elections and governance to wildlife conservation, mining, climate change, agriculture, human rights and social justice. He has covered politics and legislative assemblies of both Jammu & Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh over more than a decade. Before taking over as Chief of Bureau in Uttarakhand, he served as Special Correspondent with Hindustan Times in Madhya Pradesh and earlier reported for both Hindustan Times and The Indian Express in Jammu & Kashmir, where he covered state politics, environment and insurgency-related developments. Over the years, his stories have focused on environmental degradation, wildlife, illegal mining, governance and the changing social fabric of Himalayan states and Central India. He is particularly interested in long-form explanatory journalism, and stories that explore the intersection of ecology, conservation, governance and society. Outside the newsroom, Neeraj enjoys reading widely on neuroscience, consciousness studies, Artificial Intelligence and quantum physics, with a special interest in Kashmiri Tantric Shaivist traditions. He is also passionate about wildlife, mountaineering and the Himalayas, interests that continue to inform his reporting and deepen his understanding of the region he covers.Read More

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