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 10:07 AM IST
Pilgrims returning from Kedarnath escorted to safety
Due to continuous rainfall, the Kedarnath Yatra remained suspended throughout the day on Wednesday. Pilgrims returning from Kedarnath Dham were safely escorted to their destinations by the police and SDRF team on Thursday after the obstructed route between Gaurikund and Sonprayag was cleared. - 7 Aug 2025 10:00 AM IST
44 evacuated from Dharali from morning till 9.30 am
The Uttarakhand government told news agency ANI that the rescue operation has been going on in Dharali, Harsil, since Thursday morning. Till 9.30 am, a total of 44 people had been evacuated by ITBP to Matli by helicopter, from where they were being safely taken to their destinations. - 7 Aug 2025 8:58 AM IST
Varanasi residential areas flooded
Uttar Pradesh: Residential areas flooded in Varanasi as the water level of the Ganga rises following incessant heavy rainfall. - 7 Aug 2025 8:54 AM IST
Satellite phones have started working: NDRF DIG
On the ongoing rescue operations in Uttarkashi, NDRF DIG Gambhir Singh Chauhan says, "... We have four teams, but since all the roads have been blocked and damaged, they couldn't reach Dharali. Yesterday, 35 personnel were able to reach via helicopters. With the helicopter services beginning, the to-and-fro movement of personnel and evacuees has begun. There was a communication issue as well, but since this morning, our satellite phones have been working. State administration, army, ITBP, NDRF, and SDRF and even local people are helping each other in the search and rescue operations." - 7 Aug 2025 8:37 AM IST
I was so scared, but villagers helped a lot: Young tourist
Arohi Mehra from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, says "I was very scared when it happened. But the villagers helped us a lot. We got a lot of strength when we saw our Army soldiers." - 7 Aug 2025 8:30 AM IST
Priority to evacuate pilgrims from Gangotri: Garhwal Division Commissioner
On the rescue operations in Dharali, Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey says, “Our helicopter operations have begun. Our first priority is to evacuate pilgrims from the Gangotri Dham. Two sorties with 9-10 evacuees have taken off from Harsil, and the operations will go on all day. An IAF Chinook will soon take off from Jolly Grant Airport, with NDRF personnel and essential materials, which will be taken to Harsil. The District Magistrate and SSP have established their offices in the field. Technical experts of all essential services have reached there. Currently, our search and rescue operation is in full swing and we hope that within one or two days, the situation will return to normal. The road from Uttarkashi to Harsil is extensively damaged, and it will take some time to rebuild it. The CM is also camping in Uttarkashi and supervising all operations...” - 7 Aug 2025 8:27 AM IST
We got a lot of help: Rescued tourist
Rupesh Mehra from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, says "... Roads have been blocked there. We were rescued with helicopters. We got a lot of help from all the agencies deployed there, and we were taken out from there..."
