Vehicular movement to the disaster-hit Dharali market in Uttarkashi resumed on Saturday, 12 days after landslides had cut off the Gangotri highway. Repair works up to the disaster-affected area were completed, enabling vehicles to reach Dharali.
However, the situation remains grim as water from a lake formed in the Bhagirathi River has flooded the highway near Harsil, making it difficult to carry essential supplies to the village.
Traffic towards Dharali was restored after all major breaches between the Uttarkashi district headquarters and Harsil village were repaired by BRO, SDRF, and PWD teams. But the inundation of the highway beyond Harsil has emerged as a fresh challenge for the administration.
The lake, formed due to debris accumulation near the Army camp in Harsil, has submerged stretches of the Gangotri highway, cutting off Dharali on one side and Harsil on the other.
The delivery of supplies to nearby areas, including Dharali, Mukhba, and Harsil, continues to face hurdles. Villagers are struggling to access food and other essentials due to poor road connectivity.
Mukhba, located across the Bhagirathi River opposite Dharali, remains largely inaccessible as the connecting bridge was severely damaged in the disaster. This has forced workers to risk their lives, using ropes to transport LPG cylinders and daily essentials across the river.
In Dharali village, the situation remains unchanged. Many victims, still traumatized by the tragedy of August 5, spend their days in temple courtyards and near the market debris.
Women in particular remain in deep shock, often breaking down as they recall the horrific scenes of the disaster. Locals say many are yet to overcome the emotional scars.
The district administration is continuously supplying food and relief material, although rescue operations are being hampered by sudden rains and the rising flow of the Khir Ganga.
“Ironically, the search for people feared buried under the Khir Ganga debris has not yielded any results so far,” said a senior Uttarkashi district official, requesting anonymity.
“Despite the use of modern equipment, sniffer dogs, and continuous efforts by NDRF, SDRF, and Army personnel, no bodies have been recovered. The sheer height of the debris in the market has made retrieval extremely difficult.”
Meanwhile, BRO, SDRF, and PWD teams are working tirelessly to reopen the Gangotri highway at Dharali market, which remains buried under Khir Ganga debris. Their efforts, however, are repeatedly interrupted by rising water levels, especially during the night.