Debris being removed as security personnel keep vigil at flood-ravaged Dharali of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, Thursday, August 7. PTI
Uttarkashi flash floods: 70 rescued, 50 missing; NDRF, cadaver dogs roped in
Four people have been killed in the tragedy which unfolded when a sudden cloudburst triggered flash floods in Uttarkashi’s Dharali town on Tuesday
At least 70 people were rescued on the third day of operations in flash flood-ravaged Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand on Thursday (August 7), while 50 people are still said to be missing.
So far, four people have been killed in the tragedy which unfolded when a sudden cloudburst triggered flash floods in Uttarkashi’s Dharali town on Tuesday (August 5) afternoon. Videos showed a massive torrent of water wiping out settlements as it made its course down.
The Indian Army, which is leading the rescue operation in the ecologically fragile area, recovered two bodies on Wednesday.
Besides locals and tourists, the missing may include labourers as several hotels were under construction at the site of the flash floods.
Dharali is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri, from where the Ganga originates, and is home to several hotels and homestays.
65 stranded people airlifted
The district administration said 65 people who were stranded at different locations were airlifted to Matli town on Thursday.
Efforts were also stepped up to airlift advanced equipment to the worst-hit Dharali village to speed up the search for those trapped under the rubble, officials said.
The Indian Army said its troops reached Dharali within 15 minutes of the tragedy. It ramped up Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in the Himalayan village and nearby Harsil. The region remains cut off due to multiple landslides and road breaches.
Nine Army personnel – one junior commissioned officer and eight jawans – are also reported missing, it said.
Road access is severely disrupted at multiple locations, including Bartwari, Linchigad, near Harsil, Gangnani and Dharali. Civilian and military teams are working round the clock to rescue stranded people, provide relief and restore connectivity, the Army said.
NDRF, cadaver dogs join rescue ops
A team of 69 NDRF rescuers, two cadaver dogs and veterinarians joined the rescue operations in Dharali, a senior officer of the federal contingency force said.
Apart from the cadaver dogs, who will help find the dead, the NDRF has four sniffer dogs who can detect survivors, the officer said.
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Live Updates
- 7 Aug 2025 8:39 PM IST
Water level in Yamuna inches closer to danger mark in Delhi
The water level in River Yamuna reached 205.03 metres at 5 pm on Thursday, just a few notches away from the danger mark of 205.33 metres at the Old Railway Bridge, officials said.
The water level was recorded at 204.88 metres at 8 am on Thursday, crossing the warning level of 204.50 metres. Since then, the water level has been increasing, the officials said.
An alert has been issued to all the agencies concerned to take precautionary measures to deal with a potential flood-like situation, and announcements are being made along the banks of the rising river, they said.
- 7 Aug 2025 8:28 PM IST
Ganganani-Harsil road in Uttarkashi washed out
Project Shivalik's chief engineer K V Nagaraja Kumar has said that a 90-foot Bailey bridge would be constructed and completed by Sunday (August 10).
Meanwhile, due to a cloudburst and landslides at various places, the Ganganani-Harsil road in Uttarkashi has been washed out.
- 7 Aug 2025 8:21 PM IST
Uttarakhand IAS officers to donate 1 day's salary to CM's relief fund
Uttarakhand IAS Association's secretary Dilip Jawalkar said that because of the flash floods in Uttarakhand, a meeting was held by the association, and it was unanimously decided that all the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers of Uttarakhand state will voluntarily donate one day's salary to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
This decision is a symbol of human sensitivity and social responsibility towards the disaster victims by the association, Jawalkar said.
He informed that this symbolic contribution not only reflects the sympathy and commitment of the association towards the disaster-affected, but also expresses solidarity with those dedicated officers, security forces, medical teams, disaster management personnel, and volunteers who are engaged day and night in relief, rescue, and rehabilitation work.
- 7 Aug 2025 2:55 PM IST
69 NDRF rescuers, cadaver dogs join rescue operations
A team of 69 NDRF rescuers, two cadaver dogs and veterinarians joined rescue operations.
An Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) spokesperson said that a total of 307 pilgrims were evacuated by its personnel from Gangotri to Mukhwa and they were being taken to Harsil as of 11:45 am.
"This is a big disaster and the analysis of the damage is going on. The roads connecting Uttarkashi have been badly damaged. However, our teams are working in the affected areas to rescue the victims," National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Gambhir Singh Chauhan told PTI.
He said two cadaver dogs trained by the NDRF have been deployed for the first time in the 19-year history of the force. The NDRF was raised in 2006.
"Apart from the cadaver dogs who will help us find the dead, we have four sniffer dogs who can sniff out survivors," he said.
The DIG said a team of 69 NDRF personnel are now working in Dharali, which was ravaged by the flash floods on Tuesday afternoon.
The first unit of the force reached the location on Wednesday evening as road routes were blocked and aerial sorties from state capital Dehradun were not taking off due to bad weather.
Rescue teams from ITBP, Army and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are also working in the area.
Chauhan said the force has established a communication centre in the disaster zone with the deployment of QAD (quick deployment antenna) and satellite phones. Some veterinarians have also been sent to the incident site to help the livestock.
"We will try to rescue as many people and victims as we can," he said.
- 7 Aug 2025 2:30 PM IST
CM Dhami interacts with people who were rescued
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met the people who were rescued from the disaster-hit areas of Pauri Garhwal district.
- 7 Aug 2025 2:10 PM IST
Watch: Drone visuals of Dharali
Drone visuals of the flash-flood-affected Dharali village in Uttarakhand.
SDRF, NDRF, and ITBP personnel are on the ground, rescuing the stranded people.
- 7 Aug 2025 2:02 PM IST
CM Dhami visits Sainji village
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Sainji village and the disaster-affected areas of Pauri Garhwal district.
He met the locals and assured them of all possible help.
- 7 Aug 2025 1:57 PM IST
30-40 labourers have gone missing in Dharali: Army
Army Commander, Central Command, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta said that Dharali has been "absolutely demolished" after flash floods.
"Dharali has been absolutely demolished. Nearly 1.5 hours after the flash floods, there was another flash flood and mudslide, which destroyed our Army Camp in South Harsil and Dharali was cutoff from all sorts of connectivity. For the initial rescue operation, Commanding Officer Col Harsh Vardha, 14 JAK RIF, along with his 150 personnel, were deployed at the scene. When the mudslide entered our South Camp, 7 jawans and one JCO went missing. We are trying our best to restore connectivity to Dharali village. So that travel from Harsil to Dharali becomes easy... 30-40 labourers have also gone missing... I want to assure the residents here, Indian Army stands with you, and will help you overcome this destruction," he said.
- 7 Aug 2025 1:55 PM IST
Rishikesh SDM provides updates on treatment of injured persons
Rishikesh Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Yogesh Kumar said that the injured persons are being treated at AIIMS Rishikesh. He added that helicopter services will be used wherever it is possible.
"The victims of Uttarkashi incident who have been rescued or are still being located are being transported here. Accommodation arrangements have been made in Rishikesh for both the injured and their families. Medical treatment is being provided at AIIMS Rishikesh. Around 500 people can be accommodated across three designated locations. Sector Magistrates have been appointed to oversee the arrangements. The transport department has deployed officers to assist with onward travel for those arriving. Provisions for food, refreshments, and other necessities are in place to support the families," Kumar told ANI.
"Injured individuals are being sent to AIIMS through various modes of transport, depending on weather conditions... Helicopter services will also be used where possible... A dedicated facilitation and enquiry room has been set up here, in addition to our existing disaster control room. Sector Magistrates and line department teams are actively coordinating all medical and logistical support starting today," he added.
