Latest news with #Uttarkashi
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
More than 100 missing after flash floods in India
Officials say more than 100 people are missing after a cloudburst triggered devastating flash floods in India's northern state of Uttarakhand. Rescue operations are under way in Uttarkashi district after a gigantic wave of water gushed down the mountains into Dharali village on Tuesday, submerging roads and buildings in its path. Some teams of the army have been at Dharali since Tuesday but other disaster response forces and district officials have been unable to reach the area due to damaged roads and heavy rains. Local media reports say that four people have died, but officials told the BBC they have not recovered any bodies so far. Heavy rains have been lashing the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand over the past weeks, and Uttarkashi, where Dharali village is located, has been particularly affected, with flooding reported in many places. Around 130 people have been rescued so far in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told reporters on Wednesday morning. A cloudburst is an extreme, sudden downpour of rain over a small area in a short period of time, often leading to flash floods. It took place on Tuesday around 13:30 India time (08:00 GMT), causing the Kheerganga river to swell dramatically, sending tonnes of muddy water crashing down the hilly terrain. Dharali, a popular tourist destination in the summer, is located 2km (1.24 miles) from Harsil, which has a huge Indian army base. A camp of the paramilitary Indo-Tibetan Border Police is also located near the area. At least 10 soldiers stationed at the Harsil base are also missing, officials said. Rescue operations are progressing at a slow pace as there is a large amount of sludge and debris covering the area. On Wednesday, heavy and incessant rains continued to lash the region, further complicating rescue efforts. Many routes on the main highway have been closed after they were heavily damaged in the downpour. Journalist Nitin Ramola, who is based in Uttarkashi, said he had seen gaping, jagged cracks running down many roads in the district. He said he has been trying to reach Dharali since Tuesday afternoon but it was "absolutely impossible" right now because of the weather and damaged roads. A few teams of the national and state disaster response forces stationed in Gangotri - about 18km from Dharali - have been at the site since Tuesday afternoon, but officials have been unable to contact them because of poor network connectivity and prolonged power outages. The sludge has also blocked part of the Bhagirathi river - which becomes India's holiest river Ganges once it travels downstream - forming an artificial lake that has submerged large areas, including a government helipad. Officials worry that if this water is not drained out quickly, it can pose a serious threat to towns and villages downstream. Uttarakhand, located in the western Himalayas, is highly vulnerable to flash floods and landslides. Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. Read more Dozens feared trapped as cloudburst triggers flash floods in India Rescue mission after glacier bursts India dam Monsoon rains kill 12 in Uttarakhand Solve the daily Crossword
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
India: 130 people rescued in Uttarakhand; flash flood, landslide shuts highway
Rescue and clearance operations are in full swing after a cloudburst triggered flash floods and landslides in Uttarakhand 's Uttarkashi district, blocking several stretches of the Uttarkashi-Harsil road. Heavy machinery, including JCBs, has been deployed to clear debris and restore connectivity in the affected areas. A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been deployed at the site of the incident. Due to the cloudburst, the road at Bhatwadi on the Uttarkashi-Harsil route has been completely washed out. The road towards Harsil remained blocked through the night. Dharali, the location where the cloudburst caused significant damage, is approximately 50 kilometres from the site. In a related development, a cloudburst incident in Uttarkashi has prompted swift action from rescue teams. Rescue operations Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is assessing the areas affected by the recent cloudburst. Dhami surveyed an ongoing high-intensity rescue operation involving the Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF, and local residents, where 130 people have already been saved. Despite challenges from damaged roads and a bridge, the Dehradun Disaster Operations Station is working round-the-clock to ensure safety. CM Dhami expressed gratitude for PM Modi's continued support and oversight. "Due to damage to the roads and a bridge, it has become difficult to reach the spot. The Disaster Operations Station in Dehradun is working 24 hours to provide all possible assistance. We are putting in efforts to rescue everyone safely," he said. "10 DSP, 3 SP and around 160 police officials are engaged in carrying out rescue operations... Helicopters of the Indian Army are also ready. As soon as the weather improves, the helicopters will be used for rescue operations. Food packets, a team of doctors have been prepared. The work to restore electricity is also underway. Mobile network is not available in Dharali as of now. We are trying to reach the people. We are putting in efforts to rescue everyone safely," the CM added. Army deploys 150 personnel The Indian Army has deployed 150 personnel, led by Colonel Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 RAJRIF, in rescue and relief operations amid a mudslide in Harsil in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi. Army tracker dogs, drones and earthmoving equipment have been deployed for evacuation and providing essential supplies since Tuesday. Sharing an X post, Surya Command or the Central Command of the Indian Army wrote, "Col Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 RAJRIF, is personally leading 150 personnel in critical rescue and relief operations since 5 Aug 25 (AN). Inputs from the CO have been received, reassuring the citizens of the Army's continued efforts to rescue all survivors." "Additional Army columns, along with Army tracker dogs, drones, logistic drones, earthmoving equipment, etc, have been moved ahead to supplement the resources at Harsil to hasten the efforts," the X post added. Army and Air Force helicopters are assisting in providing the essential supplies and medicines. "Army and Air Force helicopters for essential supplies, medicines and evacuation of the marooned are also being coordinated. In the meanwhile, the residents have been moved to higher reaches in view of rising water levels due to incessant rains," the Central Command said. Disastrous flash floods On Tuesday, the cloudburst triggered flash floods in Uttarkashi district, sweeping away homes, shops and roads. Several people are feared missing. Two cloudburst incidents were reported, one in Dharali and another in the Sukhi Top area, resulting in widespread destruction. Dharali bore the brunt of the damage. The region also experienced mudslides and further flash flooding. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand, particularly in the hill districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to take stock of the situation. "I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. Along with this, I pray for the well-being of all the victims. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and obtained information about the situation," PM Modi posted on X on Tuesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also assured all necessary Central assistance and directed the deployment of NDRF and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) teams. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also extended support and spoke to CM Dhami over the phone.
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Climate
- Times of Oman
India: Massive cloudburst in Uttarakhand's Dharali; CM Dhami takes stock of rescue ops
Dehradun: A massive mudslide struck Dharali village in the Kheer Gad area near Harsil, triggering a sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement, the Indian Army said on Tuesday. Army's Central Command stated that Troops of the Ibex Brigade were immediately mobilised and have reached the affected site to assess the situation and undertake rescue operations. "Extent of damage is being ascertained and updates will follow as relief operations unfold", the Army's Central Command said in a statement. Taking stock of the situation, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sadness over the damage that was the result of the cloudburst. CM Dhami further informed that the administration, including SDRF and NDRF, are engaged in the rescue operation, and the situation is being closely monitored. In a post on X, CM Dhami said, "The news of heavy damage caused by a cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) region is extremely sad and distressing. SDRF, NDRF, district administration, and other related teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing. In this regard, I am in constant contact with senior officials, and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to God for everyone's safety." The cloudburst has led to flash floods in the high-altitude villages of Dharali. Several houses were reported to have been swept away. Additionally, Uttarkashi Police said, "In Uttarkashi, due to the rising water level of Kheer Gadh in the Harsil area, reports of damage in Dharali have prompted police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), army, and other disaster response teams to engage in relief and rescue operations at the site." Responding to the incident, SDRF IG informed that battalions with specialised equipment have been dispatched to the spot and are on rescue operation is being done in a coordinated manner. While speaking to ANI, SDRF IG, Arun Mohan Joshi said, "As soon as we got the information, our nearest SDRF team has reached the spot. Two other units are about to reach. Rescue work is being done in a coordinated manner. The nearby NDRF, Army teams are also reaching the spot. Specialised equipment in our SDRF battalion headquarters, which can be used in this disaster, is also being sent... Whether it is the Army, ITBP, or NDRF, all the teams are reaching the spot, and rescue is being done in a coordinated manner."
Al Bawaba
6 days ago
- Climate
- Al Bawaba
Village swept away, dozens missing in India's Uttarakashi flash floods
Published August 5th, 2025 - 10:09 GMT Local police confirmed that at least 50 people are currently unaccounted for. — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 5, 2025 Video footage circulating on social media shows the full force of the disaster, with a violent torrent of water ripping through the village in seconds. Entire homes were swept away, as desperate screams of residents echoed in the background. The terrifying scenes captured the raw power of the flash flood, leaving behind a trail of destruction and chaos. The cloudburst, a rare and violent weather event caused by a rain-filled cloud releasing massive volumes of water in a short span of time, triggered a surge in the Kheer Ganga river, submerging parts of the Dharali village and nearby areas. Local police confirmed that at least 50 people are currently unaccounted for. Rescue and relief operations are underway, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, army, and other emergency services deployed to the scene. "The water level of Kheer Gadh rose rapidly, causing severe damage in Dharali. Rescue efforts are in full swing," Uttarkashi Police said in a statement. The sudden cloudburst and resulting flash floods have highlighted the vulnerability of high-altitude Himalayan regions to extreme weather events, raising concerns about preparedness and climate resilience in disaster-prone areas. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
BBC News
6 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Uttarakhand: Dozens feared trapped after cloudburst triggers flash floods
Dozens of people are feared trapped after a massive cloudburst triggered flash floods in the northern Indian state of teams, including army personnel, are on their way to Dharali village in Uttarkashi district, which is believed to have borne the brunt of the shared online show a giant wave of water gushing through the area, submerging buildings along the path. A tourist spot, Dharali is populated with hotels and restaurants."I have been informed about a cloudburst incident in Dharali of Uttarkashi. We are working to rescue the people," Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told local media. Prashant Arya, the district magistrate of Uttarkashi, says communication has been erratic because of poor connectivity in the area."As it's a populated area with lots of restaurants and hotels, we've dispatched rescue teams to the site," he is a developing story and will be updated
