Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand:
A major rescue operation is underway in Uttarkashi district of northern India after devastating flash floods hit the region earlier this week. As of Friday afternoon, 566 people have been successfully evacuated from the flood-affected areas of Dharali and Harsil, according to the Uttarakhand government. Efforts are currently ongoing to rescue nearly 300 more individuals still stranded in the region.
Dog squads, drones and radar deployed in large-scale rescue
The Indian Army has deployed a full-scale response, utilising dog squads, drones, and ground-penetrating radar in the search and rescue mission. Uttarakhand’s Director General of Police, Deepam Seth, arrived in Uttarkashi on Friday to oversee the ground situation and assess the progress of the rescue work. After landing at the Matli helipad, he travelled to the flood-hit zones, meeting with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and conducting a review meeting with senior police officials. Seth instructed teams on the ground to intensify relief operations and prioritise the safe evacuation of all trapped individuals.
Makeshift bridge underway after highway washed out
Meanwhile, restoration efforts are in full swing. The Limcha Gad bridge, which collapsed during the deluge, has severed access along the crucial Gangotri National Highway. In response, engineers are racing to construct a temporary Valley Bridge to restore connectivity. Roads leading to Harsil and Dharali are also being cleared and repaired to facilitate the movement of aid and rescue teams.
Chief Minister Dhami chaired a high-level emergency meeting earlier in the day with key officials from disaster management, police, and the army. He emphasised coordinated efforts to ensure the safety of those still affected and ordered immediate relief supplies to be dispatched.
Flash floods are a recurring challenge in the Himalayan state, and the government has urged locals and tourists to remain cautious and follow official advisories as the rescue continues.