Rescue teams in Uttarkashi’s Dharali village recovered one body from the debris on Wednesday, as search operations resumed amid persistent rain following a devastating cloudburst that triggered flash floods on Tuesday. The disaster has claimed at least four lives, with around 60 people, including 11 soldiers, still missing, though local estimates suggest the number could be higher due to the Har Dudh fair drawing crowds to the village.

Dharali, a key stopover en route to Gangotri, the origin of the Ganga, saw nearly half its picturesque landscape—dotted with hotels, homestays, and markets—ravaged by the floodwaters. The deluge, fueled by a cloudburst over the Kheer Ganga river, swept away homes, businesses, and a strategic road connecting Uttarkashi to Gangotri, complicating rescue efforts. A second cloudburst near Sukki Top worsened the situation, burying the historic Kalp Kedar temple under debris and damaging an Army camp and helipad in nearby Harsil.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, assuring full central government support. Dhami, conducted an aerial survey of Dharali and Harsil and met with officials at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Dehradun. “Every life matters to us,” Dhami emphasized, noting that 130 people have been evacuated to safety, with arrangements for food, shelter, and medical aid in place.

Over 200 personnel from the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police are deployed, supported by 160 police personnel, including three SP-rank officers and three nodal officers from the CM’s office.

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The Indian Army, led by Colonel Harshvardhan of 14 Raj Rif, has mobilized 150 soldiers, tracker dogs, drones, and earthmoving equipment, despite losing 11 of its own. MI-17 and Chinook helicopters are on standby in Sarsava and Chandigarh, grounded by adverse weather. The Uttarakhand Health Department has dispatched specialists, including surgeons and orthopedic doctors, to support the injured, with AIIMS Rishikesh’s Trauma Centre on alert.

The ongoing heavy rainfall, part of a broader weather system affecting Uttarakhand, has raised concerns about rising river levels, with the Alaknanda River nearing warning levels and the Kedarnath Yatra suspended. Authorities have issued helplines (01374-222722, 7310913129, 7500737269, 0135-2710334, 2710335, 8218867005, 9058441404) and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel. The tragedy underscores the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, following similar events in 1978, 1991, 2003, 2012-13, and 2019.

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