Two separate cloudbursts struck Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand on Tuesday — one in Dharali and another near Sukhi Top. Dharali took the brunt of the disaster. Torrents of water, debris, and mud cascaded through the area, sweeping away homes, shops, and roads. The local market in Dharali was “completely swept away”, officials confirmed. In the nearby Kheer Gadh area, a mudslide pushed heavy debris through the settlement, worsening the damage.
Multiple lives are feared lost. According to initial reports, more than 50 people remain missing. DIG (Ops) of NDRF West Central Zone, Mohsen Shahedi, said, “The incident took place around 2 PM in Harsil town. Three teams of NDRF were sent to the spot. There are 35 members in each team, and they are well-equipped to rescue the people trapped there. According to the initial reports, around 40-50 houses have been washed away, and more than 50 people are missing.”
Rescue operations in full swing
Indian Army personnel, along with the NDRF, SDRF and ITBP, are on the ground leading search and rescue. Colonel Harshvardhan of the 14 Rajput Rifles is heading a team of 150 soldiers in rescue efforts, even as their own base has been damaged and 11 of their members remain unaccounted for.
“Despite being cut off and the unit’s base being adversely affected, and 11 personnel feared missing, the team continues to operate with unwavering determination. 20 people have been rescued so far. In the meantime, additional columns are being moved to be pressed into rescue operations,” said the Defence PRO in a statement.
Choppers, including Chinooks and Mi-17 V5s, are on standby at the Air Force base in Chandigarh. “The choppers are ready with the required equipment and material and would take off as soon as the weather clears up in the affected areas,” officials said.
On the ground, SDRF teams have brought in specialised gear — from thermal imaging and victim location cameras to drones and cutting tools — to assist in locating those trapped or missing.
Critical infrastructure crippled
Power lines have collapsed, internet and mobile networks are down, and road access is broken in many parts of the affected zones. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who flew back from Andhra Pradesh immediately after the disaster, said, “Our effort is to ensure that all types of services are available there. The electricity department and our Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam are working together there. Restoring electricity is also our priority. It will be done by tonight. Along with this, the towers have also been affected. Due to the connectivity issues, phone and internet facilities have been disrupted there, so we are taking immediate action. The people who are facing this natural disaster, the government is standing with them. The government will provide all kinds of support to all of them…”
He held a meeting with senior officials at the State Emergency Operation Centre in Dehradun to review the situation. “Our priority as of now is to save lives,” he said.
Centre assures full support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X after speaking to CM Dhami: “I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. Along with this, I pray for the well-being of all the victims. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and obtained information about the situation.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also stepped in, promising full central support and confirming the deployment of ITBP and NDRF teams.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reached out to CM Dhami to offer assistance from the neighbouring state.
