MENU

Uttarkashi Cloudburst Top Updates: Over 270 rescued, Bhatwari road open, Gangotri Highway repairs underway

Statesman News Service

The Indian Army, in close coordination with other authorities, continues to intensify Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in the cloudburst-affected area of Dharali, near Harsil in Uttarakhand.


As of August 7, a massive multi-agency rescue operation is underway in Dharali, Uttarkashi, following the devastating cloudburst on August 5 that claimed at least five lives. Over 270 people have been rescued, while more than 100 are still feared missing. The Indian Army, NDRF, ITBP, SDRF, Uttarakhand Police, and local authorities are jointly involved in the efforts. Helicopter rescue operations have also been launched to ensure the swift evacuation of stranded victims in the flood-affected region.

1)Work to restore Gangotri Highway between Uttarkashi, Dharali underway; Bhatwari road restored

The work to restore the Gangotri Highway between Uttarkashi and Dharali is being carried out at a rapid pace. The road that was washed out due to land subsidence near Papargad, Bhatwari, has been restored. The work to restore the highway, which was blocked due to a bridge being washed away near Ganganani (Limcha Gad), is progressing quickly.

2)Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami meets victims; 35 more rescued 

Thirty-five more people stranded in Harsil, Uttarkashi, were rescued and airlifted by an IAF Chinook helicopter. The aircraft has safely landed at Jolly Grant Airport. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Uttarkashi hospital to meet those who were evacuated from disaster-hit Dharali.

3) Action plan for next 48 hours ready 

Para troops and medical teams to be airlifted to Harsil via Chinooks. NDRF personnel and medics to be inducted to Nelong by Mi-17 helicopters. Tourists to be evacuated from Nelong helipad on return sorties. Efforts underway to open road ahead of Uttarkashi and Tekla: Indian Army

4) Rainfall to continue in Himachal Pradesh: IMD 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast of continued rainfall across Himachal Pradesh, with heavy rain expected in parts of Sirmaur, Solan, Shimla, and Kangra on August 7 and 8. The wet spell is likely to persist until August 12, with rain intensity expected to increase again from August 9 onward.

IMD Senior Scientist, Sandeep Kumar Sharma said, “…Light to moderate rain will occur in some areas of our plain districts from August 6-8… On August 7 and 8, heavy rain may occur at one or two places in Sirmaur, Solan, followed by Shimla and Kangra districts. The rainy season will continue until August 12. After August 9, the weather is likely to intensify again, with rain expected to continue across the entire state from August 9 to 12…”
5) Massive damage in Himachal Pradesh due to continuous rainfall
6) Pilgrims to be evacuated from the Gangotri Dham.

Speaking on the ongoing rescue efforts in the cloudburst-hit region, Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said, “Helicopter operations have commenced, with the immediate focus on evacuating pilgrims from Gangotri Dham. Two sorties have already taken off from Harsil, each carrying around 9–10 evacuees, and these operations will continue throughout the day.

An Indian Air Force Chinook is also set to depart from Jolly Grant Airport, carrying NDRF personnel and essential supplies for Harsil. Both the District Magistrate and the Senior Superintendent of Police are stationed on-site, operating directly from the field. Technical teams from all critical services have reached the affected area.

Our search and rescue mission is currently in full swing, and we are hopeful that the situation will stabilise within the next one or two days. However, the road connecting Uttarkashi to Harsil has suffered major damage, and restoring it will take time. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is also present in Uttarkashi, personally overseeing the relief and rescue operations.”

7) Roads enroute Dharali broken; highways blocked

Roads from the affected area in Bhatwari, enroute to Dharali are broken and blocked. The Badrinath National Highway is blocked due to debris falling from the hill near Pipalkoti.
On the ongoing rescue operations in the disaster-affected areas of Uttarkashi, NDRF DIG Gambhir Singh Chauhan says, “… We have four teams, but since all the roads have been blocked and damaged, they couldn’t reach Dharali. Yesterday, 35 personnel were able to reach via helicopters. With the helicopter services beginning, the to-and-fro movement of personnel and evacuees has begun. There was a communication issue as well, but since this morning, our satellite phones have been working. State administration, army, ITBP, NDRF, and SDRF and even local people are helping each other in the search and rescue operations.”

Also Read