Over 100 people still missing in Uttarkashi flash floods 

The Indian Army is spearheading a multi-agency rescue mission in the flood-and landslide-hit regions of Dharali and Harsil in Uttarakhand, where more than 100 civilians still remain missing following devastating flash floods earlier this week. Eight soldiers from the 14 Rajputana Rifles are also missing.

Operation Dharali, launched in coordination with the Indian Air Force, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and local authorities, has so far rescued over 357 civilians through a combination of air and ground efforts.

A massive suspected cloudburst had triggered a devastating flashflood in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, sweeping away all of Dharali village and leaving several feared dead or missing, in what is now emerging as one of the worst natural disasters in the state since the 2013 cloudburst in Kedarnath.

Following the natural calamity, the Indian Army launched a full-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation, deploying over 225 personnel, including specialised combat engineers, Reeco radar units, and sniffer dog squads.

“Despite the treacherous terrain and intermittent weather disruptions, our teams are working round the clock to reach every stranded person,” said a senior Army official from Harsil, where the operation’s central command post is located.

The officer said that Dharali remains cut off due to extensive landslides and road damage.

Road clearance has reached Limchigad, where engineers are racing to launch a Bailey Bridge expected to be operational by Friday night, restoring limited ground connectivity.

Medical teams, including doctors, nursing assistants, and combat medics, are providing emergency care on-site and at transit points. Of the 355 civilians evacuated so far, 119 have been airlifted to Dehradun. 13 Army personnel have also been rescued. Authorities have confirmed two more civilian fatalities.

On August 7 alone, 68 helicopter sorties were flown—six by the Air Force, seven by the Army, and 55 by civil operators.

“The Helicopters are delivering food, medicines, and rescue equipment while ferrying stranded civilians from isolated pockets. A ‘heli-bridge’ system is linking Dehradun, Harsil, Matli, and Dharasu ALG, with C-295 aircraft reinforcing supply lines,” the officer said.

The Army has set up Communication Control Room with satellite connectivity and operational Wi-Fi in Harsil. Telecom operators BSNL and Airtel are working to restore public networks.

Meanwhile, authorities plan to complete the Bailey Bridge at Limchigad, induct more relief supplies by air, continue search efforts in Harsil and surrounding areas, and evacuate the remaining civilians to safer locations.