Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami cut short his visit to Andhra Pradesh on August 5 to return to Dehradun and spearhead relief operations following a devastating cloudburst in Uttarkashi’s Dharali village. The disaster, which triggered flash floods and mudslides, has claimed at least four lives, with over 50 people feared missing and several homes, hotels, and an Army camp in Harsil severely damaged. Dhami, prioritizing life-saving efforts, convened an emergency meeting at the State Emergency Operation Centre to coordinate a robust response.

“Our priority is to save lives,” Dhami declared, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. He directed the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to conduct rescue operations on a war footing. By late evening, approximately 130 people had been evacuated to safe locations, with 37 villagers, including 22 men, 11 women, and 4 children, rescued by ITBP and moved to a border outpost in Kopang for first aid.

The cloudburst, occurring in the Kheer Ganga river catchment area, unleashed torrents of water and debris, flattening multi-storey buildings and submerging around 45 hotels, homestays, and houses. The nearby village of Sukki and an Army camp in Harsil were also hit, with 9-11 Army personnel reported missing. Dhami has ordered the deployment of additional Army helicopters, including the Indian Air Force’s MI-17, to airlift stranded individuals and deliver food, medicines, and clothing. However, persistent heavy rainfall and a submerged helipad in Harsil have hampered air operations.

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To ensure immediate relief, Dhami instructed officials to restore disrupted communication lines by Tuesday night and arrange food, accommodation, and medical supplies. Hotels and schools in Dharali and Harsil are being converted into temporary shelters, with food packets airdropped to cut-off areas. The Chief Minister also directed military officials to address a forming lake in Harsil to prevent further flooding. All educational institutions in the affected areas remain closed, with only emergency services operational.

Dhami appointed three senior IAS officers—Additional Secretary Meherban Singh Bisht, Abhishek Rohilla, and Gaurav Kumar—as nodal officers to oversee rescue efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have assured full central government support, with Shah dispatching seven additional rescue teams, including four NDRF units. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Uttarkashi, warning of heavy rainfall until August 10, complicating ongoing efforts.

Dhami, who arrived in Uttarkashi on Wednesday to conduct an aerial survey and visit affected areas, emphasized, “No stone will be left unturned to help the people.” The state has issued helpline numbers (01374-222722, 0135-2710334) to assist families. Despite challenges like blocked roads and damaged infrastructure, the coordinated response aims to mitigate the tragedy’s impact and support affected communities.

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