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MTV Lebanon
3 days ago
- Climate
- MTV Lebanon
Scores still missing a week after India flash floods
At least 66 people are still missing a week after flash floods hit the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, according to an official statement. Only one body has been recovered so far, the statement added, revising an earlier death toll of four. Nearly half of Dharali village was submerged on 5 August in a mudslide caused by heavy rains and flash floods. An army camp nearby also suffered extensive damage. Rescue operations are continuing at the site of the disaster as workers search for missing people. The work has been affected by inclement weather and the blockage of a key highway near the site due to the mudslide. Weeks of heavy rain have pounded Uttarakhand, with Uttarkashi region - home to Dharali village - among the worst hit by flooding. Around 1,300 people have been rescued from near Dharali since last week, officials said. Heavy rains last week had led to the swelling of the Kheerganga river in the region, sending tonnes of muddy waters gushing downwards on the hilly terrain, covering roads, buildings and shops in Dharali and nearby Harsil village. Videos showed a giant wave of water gushing through the area, crumpling buildings in its path, giving little time for people to escape. Uttarakhand's chief minister and other officials initially said the flash floods were caused by a cloudburst, but India's weather department has not confirmed this. Vinay Shankar Pandey, a senior local official, said a team of 10 geologists has been sent to the village to determine the cause of the flash floods. The sludge from Kheerganga blocked a part of the region's main river Bhagirathi [which becomes India's holiest river Ganges once it travels downstream] and created an artificial lake, submerging vast tracts of land, including a government helipad. Rescue workers are still trying to drain the lake, which had initially receded but filled up again after more rains. Mr Pandey said in a statement that a list of missing people included 24 Nepalese workers, 14 locals, nine army personnel and 13 and six individuals from the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, respectively. Locals, however, have told reporters that more people from the area are still unaccounted for. Rescue officials are using helicopters to reach Dharali, which is still blocked by debris. A temporary bridge has also been built to allow easier access as workers continue to try and clear the blocked roads. "Efforts are continuously being made to remove the debris and construct roads in Dharali to restore order," Mr Pandey said. Sniffer dogs and earth-moving machinery are searching for those trapped beneath the rubble. A rescue worker told the Press Trust of India that they were manually digging through the debris where a hotel had stood before the disaster hit. "There was some movement of people in front of it when the disaster struck. The debris here is being dug manually with the help of radar equipment as people might be buried here," he said. On Monday, a road-repair machine near Kheerganga plunged into a swollen river; its driver is missing, and the machine remains unrecovered. India's weather department has predicted heavy rains and thunderstorms for various parts of Uttarakhand till 14 August with high alerts issued for eight districts, including Garhwal.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Uttarkashi flash floods: NGRI experts launch search operation to trace 66 missing in disaster-hit Dharali
Equipped with Ground Penetrating Radars, experts from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) launched a search operation to trace the 66 people, including 24 Nepali labourers, reported missing since raging waters and mudslides buried virtually half of Dharali village in Uttarkashi a week ago. The team of experts, which reached the flood-ravaged site on Monday (August 11) evening, will identify and focus on places where there may be human presence under the debris, they said. Uttarkashi Flash Floods: Rescue Ops Intensify in Dharali Ground Penetrating Radars (GPRs) is a geophysical method that uses radio waves to detect objects and structures below the surface. The NGRI had used its GPRs to locate people trapped in the SLBC tunnel collapse in Telangana in February this year. These radars of NGRI can detect human life even in the presence of mud and water, the officials said, adding that the GPR surveys will also detect anomalies within the debris. Four choppers deployed to evacuate those still stuck in disaster-hit Uttarkashi On Monday (August 11), incessant rain in various parts of Uttarakhand, including Uttarkashi, had hampered the search and rescue operations in Dharali village as well as efforts to restore road connectivity to the flood-hit areas of the district. According to officials, 24 Nepali labourers and 42 others are reported missing since the tragedy struck the village on August 5. The JCB operator engaged in restoring road connectivity to the affected area went missing after it fell into the surging waters of the Bhagirathi river. A search is underway to locate him, the officials said. Dehradun was also lashed by heavy rain on Monday (August 11), resulting in waterlogging at various areas. More than 1,300 people have been evacuated since the start of air rescue operations after the disaster. Foodgrains, edible items and essentials like clothes, gumboots and sleeping bags etc. have been provided to the affected people in adequate quantity, they said. Forty-three people were reported missing in the disaster, out of which the body of Akash Panwar, a youth from Dharali village, was recovered a few days back, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey had said on Monday (August 11). Uttarkashi flash floods: Can we prevent the next tragedy? | In Focus podcast The ex-gratia announced by the State Government as immediate relief has also been provided to the family of the deceased youth, he said. The 42 who still remain missing include nine army personnel, eight residents of Dharali village, five from nearby areas, one person from Tehri district, 13 from Bihar and six from Uttar Pradesh. Apart from these, 29 Nepali labourers were also reported missing initially, out of which five have been contacted after the restoration of mobile network in the area, he said. More details about the remaining 24 labourers like their mobile numbers and places where they hailed from have been sought from their contractors, he said. Distribution of an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh each as immediate relief among the affected people is going on, he said, adding that a larger package of relief and rehabilitation is being prepared for them. The State Government, quoting the Meteorological Department, said that the weather will remain bad for the next few days with heavy rain predicted in the state on August 13, 14 and 15. Uttarakhand HC deploys dedicated team Uttarakhand Civil Judge, Sachin Kumar, speaking on the recent devastating Uttarkashi floods, said that the High Court will deploy a dedicated team of doctors and others to visit the site and prepare a report. 'The Supreme Court has a department called NALSA for helping victims of such disasters. On the directions of the Nainital High Court, our District Legal Services Authority has been instructed to deploy our dedicated team, which includes doctors, NDRF, SDRF personnel, advocates, and physicians,' said Justice Kumar. 'They will visit the site and prepare a report on the facilities the victims are currently receiving, including whether they are getting enough food and addressing their other basic needs. We will compile this report and send it to the High Court. This will undoubtedly benefit the victims. We will also try to implement schemes that will assist them in their compensation and rehabilitation,' Justice Kumar added further. Air rescue operations continue Authorities continued air operations for the seventh consecutive day on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) to rescue the stranded people in the areas of Dharali and Harsil in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. People trapped in the Dharali-Harsil disaster are being rescued through helicopters and brought to Matli helipad, from where arrangements have also been made to ensure their safe arrival at their destination, said officials. Meanwhile, efforts are being made continuously by the teams of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam and Irrigation Department to open the lake formed on the Bhagirathi river near the Harshil helipad in Uttarkashi district in a controlled manner, said an official release. District Magistrate Prashant Arya has been in Dharali Harshil since August 5, continuously directing all arrangements to provide all possible help to the disaster victims. The official release has stated that the District Magistrate is conducting continuous inspections of the area where the lake on the Bhagirathi river at the Harshil helipad is being manually opened. About 1,278 people have been rescued in operations in Dharali, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said on Monday (August 11). Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey told ANI, 'Following a disaster in Dharali, about 1,278 people, including those from other states, stranded at Gangotri Dham, were evacuated. The operation is now complete. Electricity and mobile networks have been restored.' 'Valley Bridge, road connectivity restored' He added that the Valley Bridge and road connectivity have been restored, and the district officials are monitoring the distribution of ₹5 lakh assistance announced by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. 'The Valley Bridge has been restored, and road connectivity should be fully restored by evening. Essential supplies like food, warm clothing, and daily items have arrived for distribution. District officials monitor the situation as the distribution of Rs 5 lakh assistance, announced by the CM, begins,' he said. The Commissioner added, 'A three-member committee appointed by the CM has arrived to assess relief and rehabilitation packages. They will submit an initial report in a week and a final report within a month.'
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Climate
- Business Standard
NGRI experts launch search ops to trace 66 missing in disaster-hit Dharal
Equipped with Ground Penetrating Radars, experts from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) on Tuesday launched a search operation to trace the 66 people, including 24 Nepali labourers, reported missing since raging waters and mudslides buried virtually half of Dharali village in Uttarkashi a week ago. The team of experts, which reached the flood-ravaged site on Monday evening, will identify and focus on places where there may be human presence under the debris, they said. Ground Penetrating Radars (GPRs) is a geophysical method that uses radio waves to detect objects and structures below the surface. The NGRI had used its GPRs to locate people trapped in the SLBC tunnel collapse in Telangana in February this year. These radars of NGRI can detect human life even in the presence of mud and water, the officials said, adding that the GPR surveys will also detect anomalies within the debris. On Monday, incessant rain in various parts of Uttarakhand, including Uttarkashi, had hampered the search and rescue operations in Dharali village as well as efforts to restore road connectivity to the flood-hit areas of the district. According to officials, 24 Nepali labourers and 42 others are reported missing since the tragedy struck the village on August 5. The JCB operator engaged in restoring road connectivity to the affected area went missing after it fell into the surging waters of the Bhagirathi river. A search is underway to locate him, the officials said. Dehradun was also lashed by heavy rain on Monday, resulting in waterlogging at various areas. More than 1,300 people have been evacuated since the start of air rescue operations after the disaster. Foodgrains, edible items and essentials like clothes, gumboots and sleeping bags etc have been provided to the affected people in adequate quantity, they said. Forty-three people were reported missing in the disaster, out of which the body of Akash Panwar, a youth from Dharali village, was recovered a few days back, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey had said on Monday. The ex-gratia announced by the state government as immediate relief has also been provided to the family of the deceased youth, he said. The 42 who still remain missing include nine army personnel, eight residents of Dharali village, five from nearby areas, one person from Tehri district, 13 from Bihar and six from Uttar Pradesh. Apart from these, 29 Nepali labourers were also reported missing initially, out of which five have been contacted after the restoration of mobile network in the area, he said. More details about the remaining 24 labourers like their mobile numbers and places where they hailed from have been sought from their contractors, he said. Distribution of an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each as immediate relief among the affected people is going on, he said, adding that a larger package of relief and rehabilitation is being prepared for them. The state government, quoting the Meteorological Department, said that the weather will remain bad for the next few days with heavy rain predicted in the state on August 13, 14 and 15. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hans India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Hans India
Uttarkashi: NGRI experts launch search operation to trace 66 missing in disaster-hit Dharal
Uttarkashi: Equipped with Ground Penetrating Radars, experts from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) on Tuesday launched a search operation to trace the 66 people, including 24 Nepali labourers, reported missing since raging waters and mudslides buried virtually half of Dharali village in Uttarkashi a week ago. The team of experts, which reached the flood-ravaged site on Monday evening, will identify and focus on places where there may be human presence under the debris, they said. Ground Penetrating Radars (GPRs) is a geophysical method that uses radio waves to detect objects and structures below the surface. The NGRI had used its GPRs to locate people trapped in the SLBC tunnel collapse in Telangana in February this year. These radars of NGRI can detect human life even in the presence of mud and water, the officials said, adding that the GPR surveys will also detect anomalies within the debris. On Monday, incessant rain in various parts of Uttarakhand, including Uttarkashi, had hampered the search and rescue operations in Dharali village as well as efforts to restore road connectivity to the flood-hit areas of the district. According to officials, 24 Nepali labourers and 42 others are reported missing since the tragedy struck the village on August 5. The JCB operator engaged in restoring road connectivity to the affected area went missing after it fell into the surging waters of the Bhagirathi river. A search is underway to locate him, the officials said. Dehradun was also lashed by heavy rain on Monday, resulting in waterlogging at various areas. More than 1,300 people have been evacuated since the start of air rescue operations after the disaster. Foodgrains, edible items and essentials like clothes, gumboots and sleeping bags etc have been provided to the affected people in adequate quantity, they said. Forty-three people were reported missing in the disaster, out of which the body of Akash Panwar, a youth from Dharali village, was recovered a few days back, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey had said on Monday. The ex-gratia announced by the state government as immediate relief has also been provided to the family of the deceased youth, he said. The 42 who still remain missing include nine army personnel, eight residents of Dharali village, five from nearby areas, one person from Tehri district, 13 from Bihar and six from Uttar Pradesh. Apart from these, 29 Nepali labourers were also reported missing initially, out of which five have been contacted after the restoration of mobile network in the area, he said. More details about the remaining 24 labourers like their mobile numbers and places where they hailed from have been sought from their contractors, he said. Distribution of an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each as immediate relief among the affected people is going on, he said, adding that a larger package of relief and rehabilitation is being prepared for them. The state government, quoting the Meteorological Department, said that the weather will remain bad for the next few days with heavy rain predicted in the state on August 13, 14 and 15.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Uttarkashi: NGRI experts launch search operation to trace 66 missing in disaster-hit Dharal
Uttarkashi, Equipped with Ground Penetrating Radars, experts from the National Geophysical Research Institute on Tuesday launched a search operation to trace the 66 people, including 24 Nepali labourers, reported missing since raging waters and mudslides buried virtually half of Dharali village in Uttarkashi a week ago. Uttarkashi: NGRI experts launch search operation to trace 66 missing in disaster-hit Dharal The team of experts, which reached the flood-ravaged site on Monday evening, will identify and focus on places where there may be human presence under the debris, they said. Ground Penetrating Radars is a geophysical method that uses radio waves to detect objects and structures below the surface. The NGRI had used its GPRs to locate people trapped in the SLBC tunnel collapse in Telangana in February this year. These radars of NGRI can detect human life even in the presence of mud and water, the officials said, adding that the GPR surveys will also detect anomalies within the debris. On Monday, incessant rain in various parts of Uttarakhand, including Uttarkashi, had hampered the search and rescue operations in Dharali village as well as efforts to restore road connectivity to the flood-hit areas of the district. According to officials, 24 Nepali labourers and 42 others are reported missing since the tragedy struck the village on August 5. The JCB operator engaged in restoring road connectivity to the affected area went missing after it fell into the surging waters of the Bhagirathi river. A search is underway to locate him, the officials said. Dehradun was also lashed by heavy rain on Monday, resulting in waterlogging at various areas. More than 1,300 people have been evacuated since the start of air rescue operations after the disaster. Foodgrains, edible items and essentials like clothes, gumboots and sleeping bags etc have been provided to the affected people in adequate quantity, they said. Forty-three people were reported missing in the disaster, out of which the body of Akash Panwar, a youth from Dharali village, was recovered a few days back, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey had said on Monday. The ex-gratia announced by the state government as immediate relief has also been provided to the family of the deceased youth, he said. The 42 who still remain missing include nine army personnel, eight residents of Dharali village, five from nearby areas, one person from Tehri district, 13 from Bihar and six from Uttar Pradesh. Apart from these, 29 Nepali labourers were also reported missing initially, out of which five have been contacted after the restoration of mobile network in the area, he said. More details about the remaining 24 labourers like their mobile numbers and places where they hailed from have been sought from their contractors, he said. Distribution of an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh each as immediate relief among the affected people is going on, he said, adding that a larger package of relief and rehabilitation is being prepared for them. The state government, quoting the Meteorological Department, said that the weather will remain bad for the next few days with heavy rain predicted in the state on August 13, 14 and 15. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
