A massive rescue operation is underway in flood-ravaged Dharali village, as teams rush to recover those feared trapped under towering debris following Tuesday's devastating cloudburst.

Authorities are now airlifting advanced equipment to the site in a desperate bid to locate survivors beneath 50 to 60-foot-high mounds of rubble. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) IG Arun Mohan Joshi confirmed that roads leading to Dharali were severely blocked, delaying the arrival of critical rescue gear on Wednesday. “Our priority today is to airlift advanced equipment to the spot,” Joshi said.

Officials believe that dozens may still be buried under debris, including locals, tourists, and labourers—particularly since several hotels were under construction in the area. Ground-penetrating radars and sniffer dogs are also expected to assist in the operation.

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The scenic village of Dharali, a key stopover for pilgrims heading to Gangotri, has turned into a disaster zone. Roads have been washed away, homes destroyed, and vehicles swept into the river’s fury. Around 300–400 pilgrims are reportedly stranded across various parts of the district due to blocked arterial roads, making rescue logistics even more challenging.

On Wednesday, two bodies were recovered, while the fate of others—including 11 missing Army personnel from a camp in nearby Harsil—remains unknown. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is camping in the area to oversee relief efforts and has assured the public that operations will intensify as weather conditions improve.

Rescuers are racing against time as every hour is critical. With roads still blocked by landslides and heavy debris, officials hope the arrival of modern equipment will significantly accelerate recovery and relief missions.

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