Over 1,300 individuals have been evacuated as joint rescue operations, led by the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Border Roads Organisation (BRO), continue under challenging weather conditions. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) reported that a small link bridge, washed away by rising waters, has been rebuilt with wood and iron pipes to aid rescue efforts.

Persistent rainfall and landslides have severely hampered operations, with damaged roads and unstable terrain complicating access to affected areas. The USDMA is employing sniffer dogs and mobile phone tracking to locate the missing, with State Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman confirming that mobile tower data from August 5 is being analyzed to trace individuals.

Efforts to clear a lake formed by blocked water flow in the Bhagirathi River near Harshil’s helipad are underway, with the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited and Irrigation Department manually removing debris, supported by two NDRF outboard motor boats. Despite adverse weather forcing an Mi-17 and a Chinook helicopter to return midway from Chinyalisaur, two Chinook helicopters and an ALH-1 from Bareilly have been deployed to expedite supply delivery and evacuations, with over 326 helicopter sorties conducted to date.

Road restoration is a priority, with a Bailey bridge constructed at Limchagad on the Gangotri National Highway, though 600 meters of the Dabrani-Songad stretch and 350 meters between Harshil and Dharali remain obstructed by landslide debris. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely monitoring the situation, coordinating with central and state agencies to deliver food, medical aid, and shelter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have pledged full support, with a three-member committee formed to assess damages and recommend long-term solutions. As heavy rainfall persists, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting more downpours, the race to find survivors and restore normalcy in Dharali continues amidst immense challenges, reflecting the resilience of rescue teams and the community’s hope for recovery.

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