Dehradun: Rescue operations in Uttarakhand’s flood-hit Uttarkashi district accelerated on Thursday, with 65 stranded individuals airlifted to safety, officials confirmed. The operation comes in the wake of devastating flash floods that struck the region earlier this week.

Equipment being airlifted to aid rescue

Efforts have also been intensified to transport advanced rescue equipment by air to the Himalayan village of Dharali. Authorities said the goal is to quicken the search for those who may be trapped under massive debris.

“There are 50 to 60-ft-high mounds of debris and those missing may be trapped under them,” said SDRF IG Arun Mohan Joshi.

He noted that specialised teams carrying equipment had been delayed on Wednesday due to roads blocked by landslides.

“Our priority today is to airlift advanced equipment to the spot. Our teams coming with advanced equipment on Wednesday were held up due to blocked roads,” he added.

Missing toll still unclear, locals fear the worst

While officials have not confirmed the number of people still unaccounted for, local residents fear the worst. Many claim that hundreds could be buried beneath the rubble. Landslides have blocked the main approach roads to Dharali, a key transit point to Gangotri, leaving many homes and vehicles destroyed.

Rescue agencies plan to use ground-penetrating radars and sniffer dogs to help trace those still missing. Among the missing are 11 Army personnel from a nearby camp in Harsil, officials said.

Pilgrims and tourists among those rescued

The 65 people rescued on Thursday included tourists and pilgrims who had been stranded at various locations in Uttarkashi district. They were brought to Matli by helicopter, officials said, and buses were arranged to help them reach their respective destinations.

Among those rescued were pilgrims on their way to Gangotri when the flash floods hit on Tuesday. They expressed gratitude to the Indian Army, the state government, and local residents for offering them shelter and support during the crisis.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who is currently in Uttarkashi to personally oversee rescue efforts, met with some of the evacuees aboard the buses.

Multiple agencies coordinating rescue work

Relief and rescue operations are being carried out jointly by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the police, and other associated departments.

Officials also suspect that some of the missing may be labourers, as a number of hotels were under construction in the area hit by the floods.

As of Wednesday, two bodies had been recovered from the debris.

PTI inputs