Uttarkashi: Around eight to ten people reportedly went missing after flash floods hit an Indian Army camp in the Harshil area of Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday. The cloudburst struck near the Dharali village area at 1:45 PM on Tuesday, near the Indian Army camp in Harshil. So far, four people have reportedly lost their lives in the incident.
The flash floods triggered by the cloudburst wreaked havoc in the area. The entire village was reportedly washed away due to the strong water current following a landslide. Several homestays and restaurants were buried under thick layers of mud.
Scary visuals of the tragedy also surfaced online.
As per reports, the cloudburst occurred in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga River. The Indian Army deployed 150 personnel within minutes after the tragedy unfolded. The Indian Army, along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local agencies, launched a rescue and relief operation.
“A landslide struck near Dharali village, approximately 4 km from the Indian Army Camp at Harshil, at around 1:45 PM today. Responding with urgency, the #IndianArmy swiftly mobilised 150 personnel, who reached the site within 10 minutes and immediately launched rescue operations,” the Indian Army said in an X post.
More than 20 civilians have been safely evacuated so far. The injured were admitted to the Indian Army’s medical facility in Harshil. “Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with all available resources deployed to locate and assist any remaining stranded individuals. The Indian Army remains fully committed to extending all possible support and assistance to the affected population,” the Indian Army said.
Notably, Dharali is the main stopover en route to Gangotri.
The Badrinath National Highway (NH-58) near Paagalnala and Bhanerpani has also been blocked by the landslide.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the situation. “The news of heavy damage caused by a cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) region is extremely sad and distressing. SDRF, NDRF, district administration, and other related teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing,” Dhami said in a post on X.
The Uttarakhand government also sought help form the Indian Air Force (IAF). “Every person’s life is precious to us, and relief operations are being conducted swiftly at ground zero. So far, more than 80 people have been rescued. For the prompt execution of relief and rescue operations, three officials have been assigned responsibility at the administrative level. Assistance has also been sought from the Air Force. I myself will inspect the disaster site. In this hour of calamity, the entire nation stands with the victims,” Dhami said in another post.
Meanwhile, another cloudburst was reported at Sukhi Top near Dharali.
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