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The Print
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Print
‘Don't know if they're alive'—migrant workers who escaped Dharali flash flood await news of family
Singh does road work in Harsil and Dharali, the two settlements worst affected by the flash flood. He had come down to Bhatwari with his wife, Kali Devi, after heavy rainfall forced them away from Dharali. On their journey, they heard about the flood and even tried going back, but by then the roads were damaged. 'We don't know if they are alive or dead, that's why we are worried,' said Vir Singh, a labourer from Nepal who has been working with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for the past eight months. 'I came to Bhatwari on 5 August, the day it started raining heavily. But I never thought there would be flooding.' Bhatwari : Migrant workers who escaped the flooding in Dharali are now waiting for a chance to go back, hoping to reunite with their families. With road access completely cut off, some are waiting at the helipad in Bhatwari for any information on survivors of the flash flood. 'I've come here to request authorities to take us back there any way they can,' he said, adding that he had received no information about his family members till now. Phone numbers of both his family members and local residents in the region remain unreachable. Singh has a total of 26 members in his family, including three sons, a daughter-in-law, two nieces and his sister's family. Towns and villages in Uttarakhand close to the Nepal border are popular with migrant workers. 'Even the places where we are supposed to get information about their whereabouts, we couldn't find anything,' he said, adding that he is waiting for the next helicopter to land so he can ask for a lift back to Dharali. Also Read: Dharali never saw the flash floods coming due to a Himalayan problem—lack of data, no warning systems Ambulances on standby At the helipad, ambulances are on standby in case more survivors arrive. A control room in Dehradun is coordinating operations, directing ambulances to different hospitals based on the severity of the injuries. 'We arrived here from Barkot, in Yamuna Valley,' said an emergency responder, adding that ambulances had also come in from Haridwar for the rescue operations. 'We had to take a 25 km bypass since the roads were blocked.' He added that their instructions were to take survivors to the nearby district hospital in Bhatwari for primary care, but any serious injuries would require transportation to the hospitals in Uttarkashi. Over the past two days, a constant stream of helicopters has been ferrying personnel from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) to flash flood-affected areas. According to some estimates, more than 150 survivors have been rescued so far. 'We are fully equipped and trained to provide any emergency care,' said one ambulance operator, who did not wish to be named. 'And of course, once the roads are cleared to Dharali, we will also send a few ambulances there.' The ambulances had been waiting at the site since the early hours of Thursday morning, but by 10 am no survivors had arrived. Road work has been ongoing since the flash flood damaged key points on the routes to affected areas. But until a path is cleared to Dharali and Harsil, including a damaged bridge, helicopters are being relied upon for rescue operations. (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: In flash floods-struck Uttarkashi, rescue ops continue under constant threat of 'more landslides'
Hans India
5 days ago
- Climate
- Hans India
Rain in Himachal: Kinnaur Kailash Yatra suspended, 413 stranded pilgrims rescued
Shimla: The Kinnaur Kailash Yatra was suspended and 413 stranded devotees were rescued after heavy rain damaged the pilgrimage route in Himachal Pradesh, officials said on Wednesday. The devotees were stranded after two makeshift bridges at Tanglippi and Kangarang were washed away due to the increased water flow in streams, they said. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) shared videos of rescue operations on X, which showed pilgrims ziplining from one end of the streams to the other. The Kinnaur district administration received a distress call about the pilgrims stranded on the trek route. In response to the call, the ITBP and the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) launched the rescue operations, the officials said. The Kinnaur district administration suspended the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra after the rain led to significant damage along the pilgrimage route. Most of the trekking paths have become either dangerously slippery or have been hit by landslides, posing a serious threat to the safety of pilgrims, according to the officials. In view of these adverse conditions, the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra is being temporarily suspended until further notice, an official order said. Pilgrims currently on the route have been safely sheltered at Milling Khata and Gufa, and all necessary arrangements have been made for their safety. Kinnaur Kailash, considered to be the winter residence of Lord Shiva, is located at an altitude of 19,850 feet. The yatra began on July 15 and will conclude on August 30. Heavy rain also upended life in other parts of the state, leading to the closure of 617 roads, including four national highways, and educational institutions. Moderate to heavy rain continued to lash parts of the state. Kasauli has received 145 mm of rain since Tuesday night, Dharampur 122.8 mm, Gohar 120 mm, Malraon 103.2 mm, Baggi 95.9 mm, Nagrota Suriyan 93.4 mm, Naina Devi 86.4 mm, Sundernagar 80.3 mm, Kangra 71.4 mm, Bilaspur 70.4 mm, Dhaulakuan 67 mm, Mandi 65.8 mm, Shimla 64.4 mm and Dharamshala 64 mm, according to the meteorological centre. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said 617 roads, including four national highways, were cut off on Wednesday. Of these, 377 are in Mandi district, which was recently battered by cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods; and 90 are in Kullu district. Chandigarh-Manali National Highway (NH 21), Old Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH 05), Mandi-Dharampur (NH 3) and Aut-Sainj road (NH 305) were closed for vehicular traffic following landslides. Shimla-Kalka National Highway, which was blocked at Chakki Mor near Koti in Solan district, has been opened for vehicular movement, the officials said. Commuters faced a hard time as road closures led to traffic jams at several places. Educational institutions, including schools, colleges and anganwadis, were closed in Sunni, Kumarsein, Chopal, Dodra Kwar, Jubbal, Theog and Rampur subdivisions of Shimla district, Karsog and Sundernagar in Mandi district, Nirmand in Kullu district, and some subdivisions in Solan district. Several schools in Shimla city announced holidays or switched to online classes. Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) officials cautioned people about disruption in water supply for the next two-three days due to high turbidity at the source. Since the onset of monsoon on June 20, Himachal Pradesh has incurred losses totalling Rs 1,852 crore. Around 108 people have died in rain-related incidents while 36 are missing. Additionally, 1,491 power distribution transformers and 265 water supply schemes have been affected, the SEOC said. It said 1,738 houses have been fully or partially damaged in the state, which has witnessed 55 flash floods, 28 cloudbursts and 48 major landslides so far.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Climate
- Indian Express
Kinnaur Kailash Yatra suspended, 413 pilgrims rescued; 617 roads cut off
The Kinnaur Kailash Yatra was suspended and 413 stranded devotees were rescued after heavy rain damaged the pilgrimage route in Himachal Pradesh, officials said on Wednesday. The devotees were stranded after two makeshift bridges at Tanglippi and Kangarang were washed away due to the increased water flow in streams, they said. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) shared videos of rescue operations on X, which showed pilgrims ziplining from one end of the streams to the other. The Kinnaur district administration received a distress call about the pilgrims stranded on the trek route. In response to the call, the ITBP and the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) launched the rescue operations, the officials said. The Kinnaur district administration suspended the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra after the rain led to significant damage along the pilgrimage route. Most of the trekking paths have become either dangerously slippery or have been hit by landslides, posing a serious threat to the safety of pilgrims, according to the officials. In view of these adverse conditions, the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra is being temporarily suspended until further notice, an official order said. Pilgrims currently on the route have been safely sheltered at Milling Khata and Gufa, and all necessary arrangements have been made for their safety. Kinnaur Kailash, considered to be the winter residence of Lord Shiva, is located at an altitude of 19,850 feet. The yatra began on July 15 and will conclude on August 30. Heavy rain also upended life in other parts of the state, leading to the closure of 617 roads, including four national highways, and educational institutions. Moderate to heavy rain continued to lash parts of the state. Kasauli has received 145 mm of rain since Tuesday night, Dharampur 122.8 mm, Gohar 120 mm, Malraon 103.2 mm, Baggi 95.9 mm, Nagrota Suriyan 93.4 mm, Naina Devi 86.4 mm, Sundernagar 80.3 mm, Kangra 71.4 mm, Bilaspur 70.4 mm, Dhaulakuan 67 mm, Mandi 65.8 mm, Shimla 64.4 mm and Dharamshala 64 mm, according to the meteorological centre. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said 617 roads, including four national highways, were cut off on Wednesday. Of these, 377 are in Mandi district, which was recently battered by cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods; and 90 are in Kullu district. Chandigarh-Manali National Highway (NH 21), Old Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH 05), Mandi-Dharampur (NH 3) and Aut-Sainj road (NH 305) were closed for vehicular traffic following landslides. Shimla-Kalka National Highway, which was blocked at Chakki Mor near Koti in Solan district, has been opened for vehicular movement, the officials said. Commuters faced a hard time as road closures led to traffic jams at several places. Educational institutions, including schools, colleges and anganwadis, were closed in Sunni, Kumarsein, Chopal, Dodra Kwar, Jubbal, Theog and Rampur subdivisions of Shimla district, Karsog and Sundernagar in Mandi district, Nirmand in Kullu district, and some subdivisions in Solan district. Several schools in Shimla city announced holidays or switched to online classes.
NDTV
6 days ago
- NDTV
413 Pilgrims Rescued Via Zipline, Cloudbursts Wash Away Bridge In Himachal
Over 400 pilgrims have been rescued from the Kinnaur Kailash trek in Himachal Pradesh after two makeshift bridges on the trek route were washed away, leaving several tourists stranded. Incidents of cloudbursts and heavy rains were reported in Kinnaur, with a bridge over the Tangling drain being washed away on Wednesday morning. The rescue operations are being led by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) along with the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF). On Wednesday morning, when Kinnaur District Administration received a distress call about stranded pilgrims on the trek route, they alerted the ITBP, who then deployed a rescue team. Mountaineering and RRC (Rope Rescue and Climbing) equipment, including essential gear for climbing, traversing glaciers, and performing rescue operations, like mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axes, ropes, harnesses, and crevasse rescue equipment, was sent off. ITBP shared visuals from rescue operations on social media X (formerly Twitter). Pilgrims can be seen ziplining and being moved to a safer location. ITBP used the rope rescue traverse crossing technique, as seen in one of the videos. Responding to a requisition from DC Kinnaur, #ITBP has deployed a rescue team under AC/GD Sameer with mountaineering & RRC equipment after two makeshift bridges on the Kinner Kailash Yatra route were washed away due to incessant rains, leaving several yatris stranded. #Himveers — ITBP (@ITBP_official) August 6, 2025 In total, 413 pilgrims have been rescued. Himachal Pradesh Rain Fury: Flash Floods, Landslides, Cloudburst Himachal Pradesh has 194 deaths and a cumulative loss of over Rs 1.85 lakh (1,85,251.98 lakh) during the monsoon season, between June 20 and August 5 this year, according to a report by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). According to the report, "Cumulative Statement Showing Damage During Monsoon Season-2025," 108 deaths are directly related to rain-triggered incidents like flash floods, landslides and cloudburst. The total loss to private property is estimated at Rs 97,129.91 lakh, while public property damage is at Rs 63,341.15 lakh. Another report by the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) indicates that 446 roads, 360 Distribution Transformers (DTRs), and 257 water supply schemes are currently disrupted. Three national highways - NH-305, NH-003, and NH-05 - are also blocked.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Lending a hand: Local heroes emerge amid chaos, clear debris for rescuers to reach site
New Delhi: Rescue personnel at the collapse site in norteast Delhi's Janta Colony faced major hurdles due to the narrow, congested lanes and piles of debris that left little room for manoeuvring fire engines or using firefighting gear. Delhi Fire Service and National Disaster Relief Force both left their vehicles at a distance and carried firefighting equipment on foot to the burning building. But the local residents stepped up, clearing rubble with bare hands, clearing the debris through human chains and working relentlessly to reach the trapped people. A fire officer said that the biggest challenge was removing the debris for heavy vehicles to access the site. "We relied on carts used by scrap collectors to clear the rubble. It was a slow process since the carts could carry only small loads," he said. Machines couldn't be used effectively due to the limited space and the fire vehicles were parked at a distance, requiring people to manually bring any required equipment. An NDRF personnel said, "If the lanes were wider, the rescue operation could have been faster. But only four people could enter the debris-covered lane, which slowed the process." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Искате да научите повече за новото BMW 2 Gran Coupe? BMW Научете повече Undo You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Locals, however, played a critical role in the rescue efforts. When the building collapsed with a loud noise, they rushed to the site and began pulling people out from under the rubble before the official rescuers arrived. Mohammad Savesh, 28, who was sleeping when the collapse occurred, was woken up by the noise and immediately rushed to the site. "We rescued as many people as we could and dug into the remains with our bare hands," he said. To speed up debris removal, residents formed a human chain, passing rubble from one person to the next, which helped create an efficient and continuous system to clear the disaster site. Another resident, Saqib, said that when he arrived, he saw several people trapped under the debris. "Without wasting any time, we started removing the broken concrete and bricks by hand to rescue those buried beneath," he recounted. For many residents, the incident felt like an earthquake. Mehr-un-Nisa, an elderly woman who has lived in the area for decades, said, "We felt the ground shake as though it was an earthquake. When we ran outside, we saw that a house had completely collapsed under the debris." Mohammad Rafi, another local resident, said, "We heard a loud, startling sound and saw that the pillar at the corner of the lane had given way — the entire building had collapsed on top of it. " According to the locals, the collapsed structure had an L-shaped layout and was mainly supported on one side. This unbalanced design, combined with poor load distribution and a weak foundation, made the building particularly vulnerable to collapse. They also alleged that the use of substandard construction materials had led to chronic seepage problems in buildings throughout the area. Over time, this had weakened the structures, making them highly susceptible to collapse even during minor tremors or shifts in the ground.
