Over 700 rescued, 100 still missing in U'khand flashfloods

A multi-agency rescue mission in the flood- and landslide-hit regions of Dharali and Harsil in Uttarakhand is underway where more than 100 civilians still remain missing following devastating flashfloods earlier this week. Eight soldiers from the 14 Rajputana Rifles are also unaccounted for.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami informed that more than 700 people have been so far rescued. "So far, more than 700 people have been rescued. From morning to noon today, approximately 128 people were rescued and brought to the Matli helipad via air services," Dhami said.

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 700 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 the entire Dharali village and leaving several feared dead or missing, in what is now emerging as one of the worst natural disasters in the state -- at least 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 informed 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 tonight, 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. Thirteen 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.

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

A senior ITBP officer said a total of 199 people had been evacuated from Gangotri (including 124 tourists and 75 Dharali villagers) to Dharali and further to Harsil.

Meanwhile, authorities plan to induct more relief supplies by air, continue search efforts in Harsil and surrounding areas, and evacuate remaining civilians to safer locations. "The work to reopen damaged roads is also progressing rapidly, and the construction of a Bailey bridge near Gangnani has already begun," CM Dhami informed.