Rescue operations in Uttarkashi’s disaster-stricken Dharali village intensified on Thursday as improved weather allowed Indian Air Force Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters to evacuate 274 stranded individuals to safety. The catastrophic flash floods and mudslides, triggered by twin cloudbursts on Tuesday afternoon, have left a trail of destruction, with at least five confirmed deaths and over 60 people, including nine Army personnel, still missing. Eyewitnesses fear the number of missing could be higher, with estimates suggesting over 100 individuals, including 28 tourists from Kerala, remain unaccounted for.
The cloudbursts, which struck Dharali and Sukhi Top around 1:40 PM on Tuesday, unleashed torrents of water and debris through the Kheer Ganga river catchment, devastating the picturesque Dharali village—a key stopover on the Gangotri pilgrimage route. Approximately 20-25 hotels, guesthouses, and shops in the bustling market area were swept away, leaving half the village buried under 50-60 feet of sludge and rubble. Bhupendra Singh Mehta, a rescued tourist, recounted the horror: “We woke to shouts of ‘run, run’ as debris reached our second-floor window. We jumped and crawled to a bridge to survive.” Another survivor, Chandan, reported seeing people buried under debris at multiple locations.
The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and local authorities are working tirelessly, with over 225 troops, including engineers and medical teams, deployed. Advanced equipment, including ground-penetrating radars and sniffer dogs, is being airlifted to search for survivors trapped under massive debris piles. NDRF DIG Gambhir Singh Chauhan noted, “Roads to Uttarkashi are badly damaged, but our teams are pushing through to rescue victims.” A VSAT system was airlifted to Harsil to restore internet connectivity, aiding coordination efforts.
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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who cut short a trip to Andhra Pradesh to oversee operations, met affected families in Uttarkashi, assuring them of continued efforts. “We stand with the victims, and rescue operations will not stop until every person is safe,” he said, visibly moved after meeting women whose loved ones are missing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath have pledged full support, with Modi personally monitoring the situation.
The disaster has severed key roads, including the Rishikesh-Uttarkashi highway and stretches at Bhatwari, Linchigad, and Gangnani, isolating Dharali. A civil helipad in Dharali remains non-functional due to mudslides, but military helipads at Harsil and Nelong are operational, facilitating evacuations. Among the 274 rescued, 65 were airlifted to Matli helipad on Thursday, including pilgrims from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Three critically injured civilians were shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh, and eight others are receiving treatment at Uttarkashi district hospital.
The tragedy has highlighted the Himalayan region’s vulnerability to extreme weather. Experts question whether a cloudburst alone caused the devastation, as rainfall data showed only 27 mm on Tuesday—insufficient for such a disaster. Safi Ahsan Rizvi from the National Institute of Disaster Management suggested a glacial snout detachment at 6,700 meters, combined with incessant rain, may have triggered the massive debris flow. Geologist Rajesh Paul urged for multihazard mapping to identify safe zones for future development.
Rescue teams face daunting challenges, with persistent rain and blocked roads slowing progress. Five civil helicopters from Sahastradhara are supporting operations, while Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters remain on standby. An action plan for the next 48 hours includes airlifting paratroops, medical teams, and NDRF personnel to Harsil and Nelong. The state has closed schools in Uttarkashi and banned trekking permits, urging riverside residents to evacuate.
As the search continues for the missing, including 11 Army personnel and a 28-member Kerala tourist group, the focus remains on restoring connectivity and providing food, shelter, and medical aid. The disaster’s scale has sparked calls for stronger preventive measures in this ecologically fragile region, with locals and pilgrims alike praying for the safe return of those still lost.
Also Read: Maharashtra Tourists Safe After Uttarkashi Floods, Evacuation Underway