Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Himachal: Monsoon Havoc Leaves Trail of Destruction Across North India
Uttarakhand: Mountains Under Assault
Kotdwar – The National Highway 121 has been totally washed away due to floods in the Kalghadi stream (nala) on the Kotdwar-Thalisain road, disrupting connectivity between Pabo and Paithani. Heavy rainfall has also laid waste to crops in many fields. In Phaludwari village, a cloudburst totally destroyed one house, although animals from some cowsheds were moved to safety.
Pauri – Two women have lost their lives due to continuous rain. One woman died as she was buried under rubble in the Buransi village, and efforts are on to find another. Five Nepali workers have been washed away separately in Bankura village, Thalisain tehsil.
Joshimath – A huge landslide has covered the Badrinath Highway at Jogidhara, leaving thousands of pilgrims stuck. In Joshimath's Narsingh Mandir Ward, subsidence of land caused the wall protecting the area to collapse, injuring two shops. Landslides occur on this site during the monsoon season every year, but safety measures have not yet been put in place.
Rudraprayag – The pilgrimages to Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar Dham have been halted by the administration till August 8 as a precautionary measure against the danger of falling boulders on trekking trails.
Haridwar – The Ganges River has breached 294.30 meters, breaking the danger mark. Public announcements at ghats are being made by the administration to caution devotees against approaching the flooded river.
Udham Singh Nagar – Houses in Chakarpur, Indira Colony, and Rajiv Colony of Bajpur have been flooded. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by administration, NDRF, and SDRF personnel.
Himachal Pradesh: Roads Blocked By Landslides, Trees Uprooted
Shimla – Incessant rains have resulted in the closure of 613 roads, out of which 4 National Highways are among them. As many as 448 houses were completely destroyed, while electricity and water supply chains are badly affected. A total of 194 deaths have occurred so far in the state from monsoon-related reasons.
Uttar Pradesh: Flood Warnings And Ground Situations
Shahjahanpur – Dam water releases have resulted in a sudden surge in the levels of water in the Garra and Khannaut rivers. Police and relief troops are put on high alert, with 120 localities and villages in 13 police station zones at the risk of floods.
Meerut – Swelling water levels in the Ganga River in the Khadar area of Hastinapur are at risk of flooding several villages. An alert has been sounded by the administration.
Prayagraj – Low-lying regions are inundated as the Ganga and Yamuna rivers overflow, compelling residents to move to the rooftops for refuge. One viral video depicts a family fashioning a path with a ladder from their roof to an adjacent home.
Kanpur – In the midst of the somber reports of rain and flooding, comes the heartwarming development of the successful rejuvenation and restoration of the Noon River to its flowing conditions under the "One District-One River" mission.
Bihar: The Ferocious Face Of The Ganga
Munger – The Ganga River's water level is increasing at a fast pace, flooding villages in areas such as Sadar, Jamalpur, and Asarganj. Munger-Begusarai link road is two feet under water.
Bhagalpur – Waters from the Ganga have flooded PG hostel, necessitating the evacuation of female students. Students were photographed departing the hostel with their luggage for two days in a row.
Chapra – A government primary school is fully submerged in floodwaters, severely affecting children's schooling.
Buxar – The Ramdas Rai OP Police Station is flooded by floodwaters, with several police vehicles submerged as well.
Also read | Himachal Pradesh On Alert: Monsoon, Western Disturbance Bring Heavy Rains Until Aug 12
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India Today
7 hours ago
- India Today
Uttarkashi cloudburst: Over 560 evacuated, 112 airlifted as rescue ops intensify
Rescue and relief operations are ongoing in the Dharali and Harsil regions of Uttarkashi following flash floods and landslides earlier this week. Over the last three days, more than 560 people have been evacuated to Harsil and Matli. A total of 112 individuals have been airlifted from affected areas to Dehradun's Jolly Grant Indian Army, Indian Air Force, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, BRO and civil administration are jointly carrying out operations under 'Operation Dharali.' Helicopter sorties from Matli to the affected regions are continuing for the second straight day.#WATCH | Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand | Drone visuals of the flash-flood affected Dharali village. SDRF, NDRF, and ITBP personnel are on the ground, rescuing the stranded people. ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2025advertisementThe Indian Army has also re-established communication infrastructure in the Harsil sector, allowing stranded civilians to contact their families using satellite-based calls. Work is ongoing to lay additional communication lines. So far, 22 air shuttles have been conducted on Friday, with helicopters delivering food, medicines and rescue personnel. Thirty people were airlifted from Harsil to Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Authority (UCADA) has conducted 39 shuttles so far. These include flights from Matli to Harsil carrying 33 rescue personnel, 3 sniffer dogs and food supplies. 67 people, including staff, have been brought back from Harsil to Matli. Additional flights have carried food to Nelong.#WATCH | Uttarakhand | Relief material to be dropped at Dharali being loaded in helicopters at Matli helipad, Uttarkashi ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2025Four Uttarakhand Civil Aviation helicopters were deployed from Matli to Harsil. An MI-17 helicopter that took off from Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun had to return due to poor weather in Tehri. Rain warnings have been issued again today, which may affect further rescue equipment is being flown in using Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters to help remove debris in Dharali in the search for missing persons. Due to damaged roads, rescue teams are focusing on air Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been monitoring the situation from the district headquarters in Uttarkashi. He said the government is working to evacuate all affected people and return the area to normal as soon as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released satellite images showing the extent of the damage around Dharali village. Several buildings appear to be submerged in debris. These images are being used to support ongoing search and rescue work and help restore access to isolated areas. Furthermore, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar has contacted Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, requesting assistance in locating 31 tourists from Maharashtra who remain out of contact. The missing tourists include people from Thane (5), Solapur (4), Ahilyanagar (1), Nashik (4), Malegaon (3), Charkop-Kandivali (6), Mumbai suburbs (6), and Titwala (2).- EndsWith inputs from agenciesMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Uttarakhand
News18
8 hours ago
- News18
Uttarkashi's Dharali In Mountain Of Debris As High As 3-Storey Building: How Will It Be Cleared?
Last Updated: The Indian Army, with the IAF, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, BRO, and administration, continues to lead rescue and relief efforts in flood- and landslide-affected region of Dharali and Harsil Three days after a massive flash flood hit Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi, the Dharali village near Gangotri is now buried in debris and sludge. The Indian Army, in close coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF), SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, BRO, and civil administration, continues to lead large-scale rescue and relief efforts in the flood- and landslide-affected region of Dharali and Harsil. 357 rescued so far: What is the status of Dharali? Dharali remains completely cut off due to widespread landslides. However, road clearance efforts have progressed up to Limchigad, where the launch of a Bailey Bridge is currently underway and expected to be completed by Friday evening. In terms of weather conditions, Matli and Harsil have experienced a period of clear skies, aiding rescue efforts. However, low visibility and rain over Dehradun have temporarily delayed some planned air sorties. 'So far, a total of 357 civilians have been rescued, with 119 airlifted to Dehradun. Rescue teams on the ground include Indian Army columns, combat engineers, medical units, and specialised Search and Rescue (SAR) dog squads. The NDRF has deployed 105 personnel, working in tandem with SDRF and ITBP teams, including medical officers stationed in Harsil and Dharali," said the Indian Army in a statement. Army doctors, nursing assistants and combat medics are providing on-site treatment to rescued civilians at transit locations. Among the evacuees are 13 Army personnel, while eight soldiers from the 14 Rajputana Rifles remain unaccounted for. The civil administration has reported that approximately 100 civilians are still missing, and two civilian fatalities have been confirmed. How does the clearing of debris work? The debris clearance process in Uttarkashi after major floods or landslides is a multi-step, multi-agency operation with significant technical and logistical challenges due to rough terrain, ongoing weather hazards, and the volume of material. The main steps are: Assessment and immediate response: Authorities activate disaster response protocols as soon as an incident is reported. Multi-agency rescue teams (Army, National Disaster Response Force—NDRF, State Disaster Response Force—SDRF, local administration) are deployed for immediate search and rescue, supported by helicopters if access is blocked. Damage and safety survey: Technical committees are formed, often including district officials, geologists, engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD), irrigation and forest departments, disaster management authorities, and mountaineering experts. They conduct field surveys to assess the danger from unstable slopes, identify safe routes, mark hazardous structures, and recommend if further evacuations are needed. Search and rescue operations: Sniffer dogs, drones, and manual teams search for trapped or missing people. Locations where people were last seen are prioritized for focused clearance. Residents sometimes assist in identifying likely sites of entrapment. Deployment of heavy machinery: Once safety is assured, advanced earthmoving equipment such as JCBs and excavators is brought in to remove large boulders, thick layers of mud, and collapsed structures. Road clearance is prioritized to restore critical connectivity. Blocked highways and damaged bridges are cleared or replaced with temporary structures (like Bailey bridges) to reconnect cut-off regions. Monitoring and ongoing risk assessment: The situation is monitored using aerial surveys and drones, especially looking for newly formed lakes, fresh landslide risk, or further rising water which could trigger secondary disasters. The central disaster management authorities may order continuous assessment, especially in fragile eco-sensitive zones. Sustained relief and rehabilitation: Debris and mud clearance continues in phases, usually starting with accessible and high-priority zones (like highways, hospitals, and main habitation clusters), then progressing to secondary sites. What are the challenges? The main challenges faced during debris clearing in Uttarkashi are: Sheer volume and depth of debris Rugged and remote terrain Damaged or destroyed infrastructure Ongoing and unpredictable weather hazards Limited accessibility for relief equipment Fragile ecosystem and safety risks Search for survivors among debris Disrupted communication and power What next? Helicopter sorties, Bailey bridge and more On August 7 alone, 68 helicopter sorties were conducted, including six by the Indian Air Force, seven by the Army, and 55 by civil helicopters. A heli-bridging network has been activated between Dehradun, Harsil, Matli, and Dharasu ALG, supported by C-295 aircraft to ferry critical supplies, rescue teams, and stranded civilians. To aid coordination, the Indian Army has established a Communication Control Room at Harsil, with satellite and Wi-Fi connectivity operational. Meanwhile, BSNL and Airtel are working to restore public mobile networks in the affected region. Senior military leadership, including the General Officer Commanding, Uttar Bharat Area, and the Commander, 9 (Independent) Mountain Brigade, are on the ground in Harsil to oversee operations and ensure synergy between military and civilian agencies. top videos View all The statement said, 'The planned actions for August 8, 2025, include the launch of a Bailey Bridge at Limchigad to restore vital road connectivity, the aerial induction of critical relief materials and equipment, continued search operations in Harsil and nearby areas, and the evacuation of remaining stranded civilians by air from Harsil to Matli and Dehradun." With ANI, Agency Inputs About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ...Read More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : cloudburst flash floods news18 specials Uttarkashi view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 08, 2025, 14:53 IST News explainers Uttarkashi's Dharali In Mountain Of Debris As High As 3-Storey Building: How Will It Be Cleared? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Flash floods bury Uttarakhand's Dharali under debris tall enough to swallow a 3-storey building
Massive debris hampers search operations Live Events Helicopters, road teams join mission (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In the wake devastating flash floods near Gangotri, rescuers in Uttarkashi are confronting scenes of devastation on a scale rarely seen in the village now lies beneath a blanket of sludge and boulders stretching half a kilometre wide, with debris piled so high — up to 50 feet — that it could engulf a three-storey building, ToI Thursday morning, two bodies had been recovered, while 16 others — nine Army personnel and seven civilians — remained unaccounted for. Officials on the ground warn the real toll could be higher. Around 400 personnel from the Army, ITBP, NDRF and SDRF are engaged in the rescue effort.'This is no ordinary operation. We're talking about debris as high as the rooftops,' said Arun Mohan Joshi, IG (SDRF), describing the damage as 'unprecedented in scale.'NDRF commandant Sudesh Kumar Drall said the sheer weight and spread of the rubble had slowed progress.'We've deployed sniffer dogs to locate those possibly trapped beneath the rubble. Local residents are helping us identify spots where people were likely present during the flash flood, so we can focus our search efforts more effectively,' he told believe clearing Dharali could take 'several months.' Access remains limited as villages such as Jhala, Mukhba and Harsil are partially cut off, with the highway blocked at six points. A bridge near Gangnani — swept away in the torrent — has yet to be helicopters from the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority flew 85 sorties on Thursday between Harsil and Matli, evacuating stranded residents. The Indian Air Force's Mi-17 helicopter carried out one sortie, a Chinook flew two, while the Cheetah and ALH helicopters completed four and one sorties Delhi, the National Disaster Management Authority reviewed the situation in a meeting chaired by member Rajendra Singh, with the Army, Air Force, BRO, IMD, ITBP and NDRF in instructed state officials to closely monitor a newly formed lake in upper Harsil and have a joint Army-state team assess the risk and ensure controlled discharge of Border Roads Organisation has also moved to restore connectivity. 'Our teams are in mission mode to launch a Bailey bridge at Limchigadh, where a 30m-long bridge was washed away, cutting off access to Dharali, Mukhba and nearby villages,' said BRO DG Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, who inspected the site on Thursday.
