Uttarkashi cloudburst: Over 130 rescued, 11 personnel missing in district amid ongoing rescue efforts

Uttarkashi: Cloudburst-triggered flash floods in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday caused widespread devastation, sweeping away homes, shops and roads, with several people feared missing.

Rescue and relief operations are being led by the Indian Army, Indo‑Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). The Uttarakhand government reports that more than 130 people have been rescued so far, and the State Emergency Operation Centre maintains constant communication with the District Magistrate and the SSP.

The Indian Air Force has Chinook, Mi‑17 V5, ALH and Cheetah helicopters on standby at Chandigarh Air Base, ready to deploy with equipment and relief materials once the weather clears.

Army and NDRF at work despite challenges

The Indian Army’s Surya Command mobilised troops from the Ibex Brigade immediately; Colonel Harshvardhan of 14 Rajput Rifles is overseeing 150 personnel engaged in critical rescue operations despite damage to their own base and missing soldiers.

“Despite being cut off and the unit's base being adversely affected, and 11 personnel feared missing, the team continues to operate with unwavering determination. 20 people have been rescued so far. In the meantime, additional columns are being moved to be pressed into rescue operations,” stated the Defence PRO.

Relief efforts on in Harsil after mudslide

Local officials report that the market area in Dharali village was “completely swept away” by rising water levels. A mudslide in Kheer Gadh triggered a sudden flow of debris through the settlement.

Three NDRF teams, each with 35 members, have reached Harsil to assist search efforts. DIG (Ops) of NDRF West Central Zone, Mohsen Shahedi, stated that approximately 40–50 houses have been washed away and over 50 people are missing:

“The incident took place around 2 PM in Harsil town… According to initial reports, around 40–50 houses have been washed away, and more than 50 people are missing,” Shahedi told ANI.

Centre promises assistance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and spoke to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami:
“I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. Along with this, I pray for the well‑being of all the victims. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and obtained information about the situation,” PM Modi posted on X.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah pledged all necessary central assistance and directed deployment of NDRF and ITBP teams. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also offered support via phone.

CM Dhami, who returned from Andhra Pradesh immediately after the disaster, went directly to the State Emergency Operation Centre in Dehradun to coordinate rescue operations with senior officials.

He spoke to the media, emphasising electricity restoration as urgent. “Our effort is to ensure that all types of services are available there. The electricity department and our Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam are working together there. Restoring electricity is also our priority. It will be done by tonight. Along with this, the towers have also been affected. Due to the connectivity issues, phone and internet facilities have been disrupted there, so we are taking immediate action. The people who are facing this natural disaster, the government is standing with them. The government will provide all kinds of support to all of them.” 

Advanced equipment deployed by SDRF

SDRF teams are using victim‑location cameras, thermal imaging devices, RR saws, diamond and carbide‑tipped chainsaws, chipping hammers, drones, pelican and dragon lights, along with medical supplies to support rescue operations.

Reports of soldiers missing in Harsil

BJP MP Ajay Bhatt confirmed that four soldiers are missing in the Harsil area.
“We have a report of 4 missing… Two helicopters are on standby in Sarsawa, and two Chinooks are on standby in Chandigarh… We pray that more and more people are rescued safely,” he told the media.

Tehri Garhwal MP Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah described the incident as “even bigger than the 2013 disaster,” noting delays due to blocked roads.
“Help from the centre and the state is being sent... it is taking time because the roads are blocked in some places.”

Haridwar flooding and rail disruption

Heavy rainfall on Tuesday caused severe waterlogging in parts of Haridwar. Due to the rising water levels of the Ganga, the police appealed to citizens to stay away from the ghats and exercise caution.

Northern Railways reported a boulder fell on the track between Haridwar and Motichur on the Haridwar–Dehradun route. Traffic restoration efforts are underway, and services will resume as soon as possible.

School Holiday for safety measures

In view of the ongoing rescue operations and the risk posed by flooding, Uttarakhand authorities have declared a school holiday for all government and private schools from classes 1 to 12 in Uttarkashi district on August 6. This precautionary measure aims to ensure safety amid continuing rainfall and search efforts.

ANI