Rescue operations are underway to evacuate the remaining stranded individuals after a devastating cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district triggered massive flash floods and landslides, causing widespread destruction in the Dharali and Sukhi Top areas, an official said.
ITBP Spokesperson Kamlesh Kamal said five ITBP teams consisting of 130 personnel have been deployed in Dharali, and over 100 more are on their way. ITBP Spokesperson Kamal added that the teams have recovered one body and successfully rescued more than 100 individuals.
ITBP Spokesperson Kamlesh Kamal said, “Five teams of ITBP consisting of 130 jawans are there in Dharali. More than 100 jawans are en route, and they will reach there soon… We have recovered a body this morning, and more than 100 people have been rescued. Today, we have also set up communication… Now that the equipment has been provided, it is possible that we will see that this rescue operation will gain momentum…”
According to NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahedi, four people have lost their lives and over 50 are reported missing. NDRF DIG Shahedi added that around 11 Army jawans are reported missing in Harsil.
NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahedi said, “As per the information received, four people have lost their lives and over 50 people are reported missing. Flash floods were also reported in two places in Harsil and Sukhi Top. Around 11 Army jawans are reported missing in Harsil.”
Meanwhile, all 28 individuals from Kerala who were reported missing after the cloudburst in Uttarakhand have been confirmed safe, according to Dinesh, president of the Uttarakhand Malayali Samajam.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dham visited ground zero and met locals at the site of the Dharali cloudburst and mudslide, which caused significant damage to houses and other buildings. Chief Minister Dhami also carried out an aerial survey to assess the extent of the damage and monitor the ongoing relief operations.
Earlier, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a disaster management meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to review the situation following the cloudburst and flash floods in Dharali, Uttarkashi.
Rescue operations are on, with teams from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Indian Army putting in relentless efforts to evacuate those stranded and search for the missing.
