Rescue teams in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district are continuing operations to locate people missing after flash floods devastated Dharali town on Tuesday, following torrential rains and cloudbursts. The floods heavily damaged hotels, homes, and infrastructure in the area.
Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said that operations are focused on three priorities — evacuating stranded pilgrims in Gangotri, restoring road connectivity, and clearing debris in Dharali to find missing persons, while also assessing losses to public and private property.
“Yesterday, we evacuated nearly 382 people. Today, so far, 44 more have been rescued. Helicopter services are running, though Chinook and Mi choppers are on standby due to unsuitable weather. The Chief Minister is in Uttarkashi, monitoring operations. Food supplies are being sent regularly, and generators are ready to be airlifted once weather permits,” Pandey said. He also assured that internet services will be restored soon.
The disaster was triggered by two cloudbursts on Tuesday — one in Dharali and another in nearby Sukhi Top — with Dharali being the worst hit.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting on Friday with officials from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at the camp office in Uttarkashi.
Rescue efforts involve the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, ITBP, NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and local volunteers. Helicopters are ferrying trapped residents and pilgrims to the Matli helipad, from where arrangements are being made to send them to their final destinations.
NDRF DIG Gambhir Singh Chauhan confirmed that ground and aerial teams are working in close coordination to ensure swift evacuation and relief.
