Latest news with #MI-17s
Time of India
4 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Fresh ‘heavy rainfall' alert poses new challenges in Dharali
Dehradun: A fresh weather alert has triggered renewed concern in Uttarkashi's flood-battered Dharali village, where rescue and relief efforts are already racing against time. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rain across several districts, including Uttarkashi, over the next 24 hours, officials fear that worsening weather conditions could hamper operations in the coming days. The rain could also trigger fresh landslides in vulnerable areas in the hills, the regional meteorological centre said in its advisory. Based on the Met alert, the State Emergency Operation Centre issued a warning to all district magistrates on Friday, stating: "Most places in the state are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall in the next 24 hours, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected at some locations during the evening/night." Senior scientist at regional meteorological centre, Rohit Thapliyal, told TOI: "The monsoon is going to remain active over Uttarakhand till Aug 10, with bouts of heavy showers expected at isolated places in the state, including Uttarkashi, during the period." Rescue efforts in Dharali, where a massive flash flood triggered by a cloudburst earlier this week flattened homes and swept away infrastructure, are still largely dependent on air support. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Private Jet - The Prices May Surprise You! Private Jet I Search Ads Learn More Undo With roads leading to the village buried under debris and multiple stretches along the Gangotri highway still blocked, helicopters have been the only way in or out. On Friday, MI-17 and Chinook helicopters were grounded post-afternoon due to low visibility — highlighting how vulnerable operations remain to changing weather. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started reconstruction of a Bailey bridge at Limchigad near Gangnani. The bridge was washed away by a swollen local stream early on Wednesday. Over 90 sorties have so far been flown by MI-17s, Chinooks, Cheetahs and Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) to evacuate stranded villagers and drop essential supplies. But any disruption in air movement could leave teams and locals stranded again, with rains increasing the threat of fresh landslides in the already fragile terrain. Officials said they are closely monitoring the weather conditions considering that the next 48 hours will be critical. Amid the challenging weather conditions, the Army continued its efforts in the rescue operations at Dharali as well as at their Harsil camp on Friday. General officer commanding of Army's Uttar Bharat area, Lt Gen DG Misra, said, "We are carrying out the task along with Indian Air Force (IAF). Amid our relentless efforts, our main focus is to evacuate the pilgrims from Gangotri shrine. The armed forces have been able to bring around 400 people, mainly pilgrims, from Gangotri to Harsil. The IAF choppers then evacuated 350 of them to Uttarkashi from where they were reaching Dehradun by road. The second priority is to evacuate the affected local residents while helping in restoration of power supply and communication lines." Meanwhile, Uttarakhand director general of police Deepam Seth reached Dharali to oversee the rescue operations being carried out by SDRF and local police units. "Our utmost priority is to rescue the stranded people from there and get them to safer areas," said Seth. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
India Today
6 days ago
- Climate
- India Today
Trump US imports from Russia; Army, NDRF deployed for Uttarkashi flood rescue
Security forces, including the Army, ITBP, PNDRF, and SDRF, are engaged in rescue operations in Uttarakhand's flood-affected regions. Flash floods have impacted steep, narrow Himalayan valleys like Dharali and Harsil. Thick mud, boulders, and debris have blocked access routes and buried areas, with roads, including the Dharali approach, broken and cutting off ground connectivity. Persistent poor weather, thick fog, and rain have severely hampered visibility, grounding helicopters and slowing foot operations. Despite the deployment of MI-17s and Chinooks, aerial rescue has been limited. NDRF teams faced delays due to cloud cover. Relief material is ready, but dense fog and rain are delaying flights. Dense cloud accumulation is expected to continue for the next two to three days, threatening more rain and making rescue operations more difficult and dangerous. The best way to ensure that all that material, relief material reaches the people who need it is air. But that is subject to weather. Since the road is completely cut off, air traffic is the only air, means are the only means to reach them.
India Today
7 days ago
- Climate
- India Today
Uttarakhand floods: Rescue operations hampered by bad weather, blocked roads
Security forces, including the Army, ITBP, PNDRF, and SDRF, are engaged in rescue operations in Uttarakhand's flood-affected regions. Flash floods have impacted steep, narrow Himalayan valleys like Dharali and Harsil. Thick mud, boulders, and debris have blocked access routes and buried areas, with roads, including the Dharali approach, broken and cutting off ground connectivity. Persistent poor weather, thick fog, and rain have severely hampered visibility, grounding helicopters and slowing foot operations. Despite the deployment of MI-17s and Chinooks, aerial rescue has been limited. NDRF teams faced delays due to cloud cover. Relief material is ready, but dense fog and rain are delaying flights. Dense cloud accumulation is expected to continue for the next two to three days, threatening more rain and making rescue operations more difficult and dangerous. The best way to ensure that all that material, relief material reaches the people who need it is air. But that is subject to weather. Since the road is completely cut off, air traffic is the only air, means are the only means to reach them.
India Today
7 days ago
- Climate
- India Today
PM Modi inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan for seamless functioning of ministries
Security forces, including the Army, ITBP, PNDRF, and SDRF, are engaged in rescue operations in Uttarakhand's flood-affected regions. Flash floods have impacted steep, narrow Himalayan valleys like Dharali and Harsil. Thick mud, boulders, and debris have blocked access routes and buried areas, with roads, including the Dharali approach, broken and cutting off ground connectivity. Persistent poor weather, thick fog, and rain have severely hampered visibility, grounding helicopters and slowing foot operations. Despite the deployment of MI-17s and Chinooks, aerial rescue has been limited. NDRF teams faced delays due to cloud cover. Relief material is ready, but dense fog and rain are delaying flights. Dense cloud accumulation is expected to continue for the next two to three days, threatening more rain and making rescue operations more difficult and dangerous. The best way to ensure that all that material, relief material reaches the people who need it is air. But that is subject to weather. Since the road is completely cut off, air traffic is the only air, means are the only means to reach them.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Uttarakhand flash flood: Trail of destruction from Dharali to Harsil; Army camp hit, NH washed away, shelters set up in hotels, schools; 4 dead, 50+ feared missing
A devastating flash flood, triggered by a cloudburst or glacial burst, struck Dharali village near Gangotri in Uttarkashi district, resulting in four fatalities and leaving over 50 people feared missing. DEHRADUN: At least four people died, more than 50 are feared missing, and over three dozen buildings were destroyed after a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst or a glacial burst hit Dharali village near Gangotri in Uttarkashi district around 1:50pm on Tuesday. The flood, which flattened homes, hotels, homestays and the market area, injured several others and later struck Harsil, damaging an Army camp and helipad. District officials said more than 130 people were rescued from the village by late evening. Initial estimates suggest over 100 families, along with around 45 hotels, homestays, guesthouses and houses, were affected by the flash flood, though the administration is yet to confirm the exact figures. The first wave of floodwater was channelled through the Kheer Gad ghadera (stream) into the Bhagirathi river, causing widespread damage. By 4pm, it hit the Army camp in Harsil, running through buildings and the helipad. The deluge followed two days of rain, and intensified after a second cloudburst was near Sukki Top, worsening the situation and complicating rescue operations. Temporary shelters being set up in hotels and school Uttarkashi DM Prashant Arya confirmed four deaths, but the administration did not release an official count of the missing though officials on site said the number could well exceed 50. The floodwaters, laden with debris, carried sludge and boulders into the Kheer Gad river catchment area, burying homes and businesses. Eyewitnesses reported survivors crawling out of the mud while others ran for cover as the wave of water surged through the village. Video footage from the site showed people fleeing with whatever they could carry as buildings collapsed around and behind them. The state govt launched an extensive multi-agency rescue operation involving over 200 personnel from the Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), local police, and administrative staff. The Army's Ibex Brigade led the ground response, and three helicopters - two MI-17s and one Chinook - were requisitioned from the Centre to assist with aerial rescue and supply drops. Access to the worst-affected areas remained severely restricted. District administration teams, including the DM and SP, were unable to reach Dharali as they got stuck near Bhatwari after a 50-metre stretch of the Gangotri highway was washed away. National Highway access near Sukki Top also remained blocked due to debris from the second cloudburst, hampering evacuation and supply movement. By 2pm, over 500 people had been safely evacuated from Gangotri. No pilgrims remained stranded in Harsil. A large relief camp was established at the Government Inter College in Dharali, and public announcements were being made in nearby riverside villages to move people to safer locations. Temporary shelters were being set up in hotels and schools, with arrangements for food, drinking water, bedding, blankets, and medical supplies. Food packets were airdropped in areas cut off by landslides. Authorities were monitoring the Bhagirathi river for potential secondary surges. The regional meteorological centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Uttarkashi district on Aug 6, warning of the possibility of more cloudbursts or flash floods. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami held a high-level review meeting and said rescue operations were underway on a war footing. "Army, SDRF, NDRF, and district officials are on-site. Our top priority is saving lives," he said. Officials were directed to requisition hotels if required to house those displaced by the disaster. PM Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Dhami and assured full support. Modi later posted on X, expressing grief and said all assistance would be extended.
