Amit Shah Speaks to Uttarakhand CM After flash floods, dispatches Rescue Teams
A 16-member Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) team has reached Dharali from its 12th battalion stationed at Matli in Uttarakhand while another unit of the same strength has also been asked to rush to the cloudburst site, the officials said.
Dehradun, New Delhi: A massive cloudburst and a subsequent flash flood at the Dharali market area of Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand at around 1.30 pm on Tuesday resulted in at least 4 deaths. Over 60 persons, including 8-10 Indian Army soldiers, are reported missing as a thick mass of water and muck swept away several hotels, houses and nearby Harsil-based Army camp infrastructure.
According to the Uttarkashi district administration and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the cloudburst on the hilltop above the Khirganga water stream ahead of the Dharali village en route to Gangotri caused incessant rain in the hill areas for more than 24 hours. The subsequent flash flood resulted in substantial loss of human lives and property losses in the area. Although the toll is yet to be ascertained, officials said several people are reported missing and many houses have been swept away in the flood.
Following the flash flood, a landslide occurred near Dharali, approximately 4 km from the Army camp at Harsil. According to unconfirmed reports, 8-10 Indian Army personnel are reported missing in the lower Harsil area from the camp till last reports came in.
Reacting to the loss of lives and property, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I express my sympathy for the people affected by this tragedy at Dharali in Uttarkashi and pray for the well-being of all victims. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for an update on the situation. Relief and rescue teams are making all possible efforts under the supervision of the state government. No stone will be left unturned to help the people.”
“The news about a cloudburst in Dharali causing extensive damage is extremely saddening and painful. Relief and rescue operations are underway on a war footing by the teams of SDRF, NDRF, district administration and other departments concerned. I am constantly in touch with senior officials and am closely monitoring the situation. I pray for the safety and well-being of everyone in the area,” said Dhami posted on X.
According to the district officials, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), SDRF, ITBP, Indian Army and local police teams have launched rescue and search operations.
Responding with urgency, the Indian Army mobilised 150 personnel who reached the site within 10 minutes and commenced rescue operations. So far, 15–20 individuals have been evacuated, with the injured receiving prompt medical treatment at the Indian Army medical facility in Harshil.
The NDRF has decided to deploy its first-ever team of cadaver dogs to help locate those feared dead.
Meanwhile, locals in the Dharali market, close to Mukhba, the alternate seat of deity Gangotri on the other side of river Ganga, claim that human losses may be much more than reported by the local administration. “The death toll can be much more than what is being said. There was a substantial size of floating population in the Dharali market today, for a large number of people had gathered there to attend a fair on Monday. Many of them were still camping in the market area,” informed a local youth unwilling to be named.
In his reaction, Union home minister Amit Shah said, "I have spoken to the Uttarakhand chief minister on the flash flood incident in Dharali, Uttarkashi, to get an update on the situation. Three teams of ITBP and four NDRF teams from their respective nearby camps have also been sent to the disaster-hit areas."
The Uttarakhand government has sought support from the Indian Air Force in rescue and search operations.
