Rescue operations in Uttarkashi’s Dharali village reached a critical milestone as over 650 individuals were saved from the devastating flash floods that struck on Tuesday, August 5. The disaster, triggered by a suspected cloudburst, buried half of Dharali under massive debris, destroying homes, hotels, and infrastructure along the pilgrim route to Gangotri. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has been overseeing operations on-site, confirmed that 400 people were rescued on Thursday and 250 on Friday, with efforts ongoing to evacuate those still stranded.
The Indian Army, spearheading ‘Operation Dharali,’ constructed a critical Bailey bridge over the Bhagirathi River to facilitate the evacuation of stranded tourists and injured locals, overcoming the loss of a key bridge near Gangnani. “Today, we have established a bridge over the Bhagirathi River, using which the injured and stranded tourists are being evacuated safely,” an Army official stated. The Army also activated satellite and radio relay systems, enabling rescued individuals to contact their families, offering relief amidst the chaos.
More than 800 personnel from the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police are engaged in the mission, employing sniffer dogs, drones, and radars to locate survivors beneath 50-60-foot debris piles. The ITBP airlifted stranded individuals from Harsil, with some injured carried on stretchers to helicopters. Two Chinook helicopters, two Mi-17s from the Indian Air Force, and eight choppers from the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority are supporting evacuation and supply efforts, despite adverse weather conditions.
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The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) reports 16 people missing, including nine Army personnel and seven civilians, though local accounts from nearby Mukhba village suggest the number could be higher due to the presence of laborers and tourists in Dharali’s hotels. Four deaths have been confirmed, with two bodies recovered on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Dhami, who conducted an aerial survey and met with officials, emphasized restoring connectivity and essentials. “Internet connectivity has been restored, and Airtel is now functional, which will speed up rescue operations,” he told reporters. A generator set is being flown in to address power outages, and a Bailey bridge near Lincha Gad is expected to be operational within two days. Dhami also pledged a month’s salary to relief efforts and urged public contributions.
The scale of destruction, exacerbated by possible riverbed encroachments, has drawn national attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are closely monitoring the situation, ensuring full central government support. Despite blocked roads and relentless rainfall, the multi-agency response remains relentless, aiming to restore normalcy to a region reeling from one of Uttarakhand’s worst disasters since the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy.
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