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NDTV
4 days ago
- Climate
- NDTV
Evacuation In Disaster-Hit Uttarkashi Underway, 566 Rescued So Far
Uttarkashi: Efforts to evacuate stranded pilgrims from disaster-hit Dharali village were stepped up on Friday, and 566 more people were rescued safely this morning, officials said. Rescue and relief operations are being carried out primarily via air, as the Gangotri National Highway and several motorable roads are damaged at many places. A total of 840 people have been safely rescued on the fourth day of rescue operations. At least 50 people are still missing, according to rescue officials. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, however, has said 16 people are missing -- nine Army personnel and seven civilians. The district administration said on Tuesday that at least four people have died in the flash floods. But so far, only two bodies have been recovered. A total of 566 people were brought safely to the ITBP's Matli helipad on Friday morning, officials said, adding that 300 more people are to be rescued. Advanced equipment required to dredge through mounds of debris in Dharali in search of the missing is being flown to the spot with the help of helicopters. Two Chinook helicopters, two Mi-17s of the IAF, and eight choppers of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) have been deployed. Food supplies are also being sent to the affected areas in helicopters, officials said. Rummaging through the debris in search of the missing is an uphill task as the rubble heaps at places are 50-60 feet high. With roads breached at various points, the thrust is on air support both for the evacuation of the stranded people and transporting food supplies and other essentials to the affected areas, an NDRF official said. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been camping at the district headquarters in Uttarkashi for the past few days to keep a close eye on the ongoing rescue operations. In a post on Facebook, he said, "Reviewed the relief and rescue operations going on in Dharali in Uttarkashi this morning." With the help of Heli Seva, Mi-17 and Chinook helicopters, rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing since the morning, and people are being brought back safely, he said. Necessary guidelines have been given to the officials on the restoration of roads, communication, electricity, and food supply. "We are trying to evacuate all the affected people safely and restore normal life as soon as possible," he said. He added that the central government is providing full cooperation for the rescue efforts. The chief minister has also decided to contribute an amount equal to a month of his salary towards disaster relief operations in Uttarkashi. Mr Dhami said the state government stands with the affected people at every step, and added that everyone should come together and help the victims in this difficult situation. He appealed to public representatives, officials, voluntary organisations, and common citizens to make monetary contributions to the ongoing relief work in the disaster-hit areas of the district as per their capacity. The flash floods in Dharali on Tuesday afternoon demolished buildings and swept away people and cars. According to residents of nearby villages, such as Mukhba, more than half of the village was washed out in the disaster. Dharali is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri, from where the Ganga originates, abounding in hotels, homestays, restaurants, and guest houses. In the rescue operations carried out so far, two bodies have been found while more than 50 are missing, including nine army personnel, officials engaged in rescue operations said.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Evacuation of pilgrims underway in disaster-hit Uttarkashi, 566 rescued
Efforts to evacuate stranded pilgrims from disaster-hit Dharali village were stepped up on Friday, and 566 more people were rescued safely this morning, officials said. A total of 840 people have been safely rescued on the fourth day of rescue operations.(@15bnNdrf X) Rescue and relief operations are being carried out primarily via air as the Gangotri National Highway and several motorable roads are damaged at many places. A total of 840 people have been safely rescued on the fourth day of rescue operations. At least 50 people are still missing, according to rescue officials. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, however, has said 16 people are missing -- nine Army personnel and seven civilians. The district administration said on Tuesday that at least four people have died in the flash floods. But so far only only two bodies have been recovered. A total of 566 people were brought safely to the ITBP's Matli helipad Friday morning, officials said, adding that 300 more people are to be rescued. Advanced equipment required to dredge through mounds of debris in Dharali in search of the missing are being flown to the spot with the help of helicopters. Two Chinook helicopters, two Mi-17s of the IAF and eight choppers of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) have been deployed. Food supplies are also being sent to the affected areas in helicopters, officials said. Rummaging through the debris in search of the missing is an uphill task as the rubble heaps at places are 50-60 feet high. With roads breached at various points, the thrust is on air support both for the evacuation of the stranded people and transporting food supplies and other essentials to the affected areas, an NDRF official said. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been camping at the district headquarters in Uttarkashi for the past few days to keep a close eye on the ongoing rescue operations. In a post on Facebook, he said, "Reviewed the relief and rescue operations going on in Dharali in Uttarkashi this morning." With the help of Heli Seva, Mi-17 and Chinook helicopters, rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing since the morning and people are being brought back safely, he said. Necessary guidelines have been given to the officials on the restoration of roads, communication, electricity and food supply. "We are trying to evacuate all the affected people safely and restore normal life as soon as possible," he said. He added that the central government is providing full cooperation for the rescue efforts. The chief minister has also decided to contribute an amount equal to a month of his salary towards disaster relief operations in Uttarkashi. Also Read: Kedarnath to Uttarkashi: Seven deadly disasters that shook the Indian Himalayas Dhami said the state government stands with the affected people at every step, and added that everyone should come together and help the victims in this difficult situation. He appealed to public representatives, officials, voluntary organisations and common citizens to make monetary contributions to the ongoing relief work in the disaster-hit areas of the district as per their capacity. The flash floods in Dharali on Tuesday afternoon demolished buildings and swept away people and cars. According to residents of nearby villages, such as Mukhba, more than half of the village was washed out in the disaster. Dharali is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri, from where the Ganga originates, abounding in hotels, homestays, restaurants and guest houses. In the rescue operations carried out so far, two bodies have been found while more than 50 are missing, including nine army personnel, officials engaged in rescue operations said.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Climate
- First Post
Uttarkashi cloudburst: Rescue efforts intensified amid ongoing challenges; 5 dead and many still missing
Army's combat engineers have been working to clear debris and restore access in the area. A military helipad at Harsil remained functional. The state government said rescue and relief operations will continue until all missing persons are accounted for and connectivity is re-established. read more The Uttarkashi cloudburst that struck on Tuesday (August 5) in the upper catchment of the Kheer Ganga river has unleashed a torrent of water, mud, and debris that swept away homes, cars, and bridges in the village of Dharali, a key stop on the pilgrimage route to Gangotri. Amid this, the Indian Army has launched a large-scale rescue operation in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district after a deadly cloudburst triggered flash floods and landslides that cut off access to the village of Dharali near Harsil, leaving dozens missing and hundreds stranded. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More than 225 Army personnel, including infantry and combat engineering teams, have been deployed to the affected area, officials said on Wednesday (August 6). At least five people have been confirmed dead, with over 50 still missing. Among them was a group of 28 tourists from Kerala. A coordinated response Combat engineers have been working to clear debris and restore access in the area, while seven teams with Reeco Radar systems are operating near Tekla. Search and rescue dogs have been deployed to Harsil, with more en route from Remount and Veterinary Corps centres. Air support has been activated, with three civil helicopters operating from Sahastradhara successfully landing at Bhatwari and Harsil to deliver relief materials and evacuate casualties. A military helipad at Harsil remains functional, while Chinook, Mi-17, and ALH helicopters are on standby at Jolly Grant, Chandigarh, and Sarsawa airbases awaiting deployment orders. As of Wednesday evening, 70 civilians had been rescued. Three injured persons were airlifted from the affected region by helicopter. However, road links near Bartwari, Linchigad, and Gangrani have been washed away, hampering ground access. The civil helipad at Dharali remains non-functional following a mudslide. Indian Air Force sources said on Wednesday afternoon that Mi-17s and ALH Mk-III at Bareilly and An-32s and C-295 aircraft at Agra were ready to launch after preparation through the night. At the time, dense fog and rain had restricted flying into the high reaches. Sources said that the IAF would begin operations once the weather was better. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD CM Dhami details reconstruction plans Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who is camping in the region, said that 190 people have been rescued and relocated to safe areas. 'The injured have been admitted to hospitals, while some are at military camps and higher centres,' Dhami told local media. 'All arrangements are being made to evacuate pilgrims stranded in Gangotri Dham through the Nelong Valley.' The chief minister confirmed the state's plan to reconstruct Dharali and provide assistance to every affected family. 'All of us from Uttarakhand are standing with the affected people — those who have suffered losses or lost their kin — as government, brothers and family,' he said. He added that the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are extending full assistance. 'The prime minister has assured me that the Centre, the Army and other agencies are providing all support. Saving every person is the first priority,' Dhami said. Landslides, isolation, and rescue challenges Landslides triggered by the cloudburst have buried parts of Dharali under several feet of mud and debris. The village, home to multiple hotels and guest houses, is an important waypoint on the Char Dham route. With the roads severed and debris blocking access routes, Army engineers face the daunting task of restoring connectivity under adverse terrain and weather conditions. 'Constructing roads in the hills is not an easy task. It is a tough job,' Dhami said. 'But the state government and all its departments will accomplish this task with the help of the Centre, Army, BRO, ITBP, NDRF, and SDRF.' The state government said rescue and relief operations will continue until all missing persons are accounted for and connectivity is re-established. The military and civil authorities remain on high alert as heavy rains continue to pose further risks in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
