Hope Amidst the Mud: GPR Tech Detects 20 Possible Sites with Survivors in Dharali, Uttarkashi

UTTARKASHI – In a glimmer of hope nearly a week after a devastating flash flood buried parts of Dharali village, rescuers have identified 20 potential sites where people may be trapped beneath debris. The discovery was made using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology, which detected structures or possible human presence at depths of 2.5 to 3 metres in the flood-ravaged terrain.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) are working round the clock alongside local authorities. They are deploying advanced radar equipment that emits radio waves capable of detecting life signs and voids beneath thick mud and rubble.

“We’ve located 20 spots with structural anomalies that could indicate trapped individuals,” an NDRF official confirmed. At these sites, heavy machinery is being avoided due to marshy, unstable ground and the potential presence of survivors. Hand tools are being used for careful excavation to prevent further harm.

Specialist Equipment at the Forefront of Search

The GPR technology being used has previously been employed in successful rescues, including the SLBC tunnel collapse in Telangana earlier this year. Alongside this, rescue radar, another radio-frequency-based tool, is being deployed in debris-heavy zones to enhance detection capabilities.

“GPR can detect movement and anomalies even through mud and water,” said a technical officer from Erica Engineering, whose team is assisting on the ground. Rescue radars will remain in use until the entire affected area is thoroughly scanned.

Missing Persons and Weather Concerns Add Urgency

As of now, 42 people remain missing, including army personnel, Nepali labourers, and residents from Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. Five of the originally reported 29 missing Nepali workers have been contacted following the restoration of mobile networks.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of continued flash flood risk across 11 districts, including Uttarkashi, in the next 24 hours, adding urgency to the already challenging rescue effort.