Rescue operations in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district have intensified as four helicopters, including a heavy-lift Chinook, were deployed on Saturday to evacuate hundreds stranded after devastating flash floods and landslides struck the region earlier this week. The disaster, triggered by a cloudburst on Tuesday, has claimed at least four lives, with 49 people still missing, according to district administration reports.

The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Authority (UCADA) has mobilized four helicopters to conduct sorties, focusing on the hard-hit Dharali area, where mudslides and flash floods have severed road connectivity. So far, 729 individuals have been airlifted to safety, with operations centered around Matli, Harsil, and Bhatwari helipads. A Chinook helicopter took off from Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun on Saturday morning, transporting a 125 kV generator to restore power to relief camps in Dharali, where infrastructure has been heavily damaged.

The Gangotri highway, a critical lifeline, remains blocked at multiple points, including Limchigad and Gangnani, complicating ground rescue efforts. To address this, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is constructing a Bailey bridge at Limchigad on a war footing, with completion expected within 24 hours to restore access for heavy machinery and supplies.

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Rescue teams, comprising the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and local volunteers, are battling challenging conditions, including 50-60 feet of quicksand-like muck and persistent rain. Advanced equipment, such as ground-penetrating radars and victim-locating cameras, is being airlifted to aid in the search for missing individuals, including 11 Army personnel.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who conducted an aerial survey and visited ground zero, is overseeing operations, emphasizing swift evacuation and infrastructure restoration. The India Meteorological Department has issued a Red Alert for heavy rainfall until August 12, raising concerns about further landslides.

Helicopter sorties continue to deliver food, medical supplies, and rescue personnel, with 22 air shuttles conducted on Friday alone. The Indian Army has restored communication lines in Harsil, enabling stranded individuals to contact their families. Despite adverse weather, including dense fog, teams remain committed to rescuing the remaining stranded individuals, including 100 still trapped as of Saturday morning.

Also Read: Uttarkashi Flash Floods: 274 Rescued, Over 60 Still Missing