Isro satellite images reveal scale of Uttarkashi flash flood devastation
The Bhagirathi and Kheer Gad rivers now cut a markedly altered course through the region.One of the most telling signs of the devastation is at Dharali village, located at the confluence of the Kheer Gad and Bhagirathi rivers. Here, satellite images reveal a massive, fan-shaped deposit of sediment and debris spanning roughly 20 hectares (about 750 meters by 450 meters).
This debris field lies directly in the path of the mud and floodwaters, engulfing large sections of the community. The images show partial or complete destruction, and even disappearance, of several buildings in the affected floodplain. Many structures appear to have been either submerged under layers of mud and debris or entirely swept away by the force of the flood.Rescuers and disaster management teams rely on these ISRO-generated images to guide their search and rescue operations, pinpointing where buildings once stood and where debris now isolates stranded residents. The disappearance of roads, infrastructure, and orchards further compounds the tragedy and challenges ongoing relief efforts. The satellite evidence is crucial for restoring connectivity to this isolated, disaster-stricken region.Officials note that the Uttarkashi event highlights the increasing vulnerability of Himalayan settlements to sudden natural disasters. The scientific community is carrying out further analysis to determine the precise cause of the triggering event, which preliminary studies suggest may involve glacier collapse or extreme rainfall events typical of the region's changing climate patterns.- EndsMust Watch
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