Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami promptly arrived at the Joshiyada helipad in Uttarkashi to personally evaluate the scale of destruction and coordinate the ongoing emergency response. Taking command of the situation, he met with officials and rescue teams on the ground to ensure that relief measures were being carried out efficiently. The Chief Minister reviewed the operations being led jointly by the Indian Army, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and brave local volunteers, who have all joined forces in an effort to save lives. As per official updates, around 130 people have already been safely rescued from the affected zones, although many others still remain trapped or unaccounted for in remote or inaccessible areas. CM Dhami emphasized that the state government is prioritizing human life above all else and assured that every available resource is being mobilized to support the rescue and relief operations.
Despite facing major obstacles such as collapsed bridges, blocked roads, and ongoing heavy rainfall, rescue and coordination efforts are continuing day and night. The State Disaster Operations Centre in Dehradun is serving as the central command hub, with teams working around the clock to track developments, dispatch emergency personnel, and maintain communication with field officers. CM Dhami, while addressing the media, expressed deep concern for the affected families and acknowledged the resilience of both the rescue teams and the local people assisting them. He praised the coordinated response from the Army, paramilitary forces, and civil administration, saying that no effort is being spared to reach those still missing or stranded in isolated pockets of the district. “We are treating this as a top priority,” he stated, urging the public to remain calm, stay indoors, and follow official safety instruction
To support the large-scale operation, the Indian Army has deployed 150 personnel under the leadership of Colonel Harshvardhan from the 14 RAJRIF regiment. Their efforts are being strengthened by the use of advanced equipment, including drones for aerial surveillance, tracker dogs to locate those buried under debris, and heavy earthmovers to clear blocked paths. Helicopters like the MI-17 and Chinook have also been pressed into service to reach remote locations and airlift those in danger. Rescue operations are currently concentrated around Harsil and Dharali regions that have suffered extensive damage. However, continuous rainfall is making the task even more difficult. Many parts of the rugged terrain remain slippery and unstable, putting both survivors and rescuers at risk. Yet, the teams on the ground remain committed, pushing through extreme conditions in the hope of finding those still missing.
Initial assessments suggest that nearly half of Dharali village, located at an altitude of around 8,600 feet and known as a significant stop on the Gangotri pilgrimage route, has been either submerged or destroyed. The force of the floodwaters was so intense that eyewitness videos captured scenes of buildings collapsing, vehicles being swept away, and massive trees uprooted within seconds. Survivors described the sound of the rushing water as thunderous, giving them barely any time to react. Although around 130 people have been successfully evacuated to safer areas, the search for bodies or additional survivors buried under debris is still ongoing. Officials say that the scale of destruction indicates more casualties may be discovered once access to all damaged areas improves.
In the wake of the disaster, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke directly with Chief Minister Dhami, assuring full support from the central government. Senior Union ministers have also been briefed on the situation, and coordination between state and central agencies has been intensified.
Back in Dehradun, CM Dhami convened emergency meetings at the State Emergency Operations Centre, where he reviewed the pace and challenges of the rescue and relief efforts. He stated that restoring electricity and communication lines in the flood-hit areas has become a top priority, especially as collapsed towers and damaged infrastructure have left many villages cut off. “We are working on a war footing to restore mobile networks and power supply,” the Chief Minister said. “No one will be left helpless our government is committed to reaching every person in need.”
One of the most concerning updates coming in is the report of 8 to 10 soldiers who have gone missing from a camp in the lower Harsil region. Despite the uncertainty around their whereabouts, Army personnel haven’t paused their work they continue to lead rescue missions with unmatched dedication, even while some of their own remain unaccounted for. More teams from the NDRF and ITBP have been deployed to the worst-hit zones to strengthen efforts. The disaster has drawn strong reactions from political leaders across Uttarakhand. Tehri Garhwal MP Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah and former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat have both expressed deep sorrow, describing the situation as one of the most severe tragedies the region has faced in recent years.
Sannya Sangma,
Bongaigaon Times
Bongaigaon Times
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