Rescue operations of flood-hit areas affected after a portion of a road collapsed near Bhatwari, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, Wednesday, August 6. PTI
Uttarkashi floods: 190 people rescued; 200-member Army team leads massive mission
Indo-Tibetan Border Police says they have rescued 413 pilgrims who were stranded on the Kinner Kailash Yatra route in the state
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday (August ) said 190 people have been rescued from Uttarkashi's Dharali village, which was hit by a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst that struck the upper catchment of the Kheer Ganga river.
Speaking to PTI, the chief minister said plans are being prepared to evacuate the pilgrims stuck in Gangotri Dham through Nelong Valley. "All arrangements have been made and they will be evacuated very soon," he added.
"After the incident which took place yesterday, 190 people have been rescued from there. All of them are safe and are at secure places," he said, adding, "The injured have been admitted to hospitals while some have been sent to the military camps and higher centres." Five people have been killed and several have been injured in the flash flood that hit Dharali on Tuesday.
Dhami said the state government employees are doing their work. "I am also camping here. Till all rescue work is streamlined and they catch speed, I will stay put here and monitor everything," he said.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) said they have rescued 413 pilgrims who were stranded on the Kinner Kailash Yatra route in the state.
One body was recovered on Wednesday, while bad weather was hampering rescue operations even as an NDRF team reached the site in the evening.
Tonnes of rubble lay on the site with the ITBP, Army and SDRF personnel rummaging through it for those trapped underneath amid continuing rain and road collapses.
Follow more LIVE updates below:
Live Updates
- 6 Aug 2025 9:40 PM IST
IN GRAPHIC: The stretch where the damage happened
Dharali, a village torn apart, is a key stop on the route to Gangotri. Videos from the spot show a "wall of slush" flattening buildings in a matter of seconds. A bridge collapsed, and roads washed away, cutting off access to the village, making rescue and relief efforts extremely difficult.
Here is a graphic that shows exactly where the damage has occurred.
- 6 Aug 2025 9:33 PM IST
IN GRAPHIC: Dharali village, the 'epicentre'
The village of Dharali was particularly hard-hit, with homes, hotels, and roads being washed away. Rescue efforts are still on, even late in the night.
- 6 Aug 2025 9:12 PM IST
IN GRAPHIC: Where exactly did the cloudburst and flashfloods happen?
The cloudburst happened in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, specifically affecting the villages of Dharali and Sukhi Top. The cloudburst, which occurred in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, triggered devastating flash floods and landslides. The sudden torrent of water, mud, and debris swept through the region, causing widespread destruction. The village of Dharali was particularly hard-hit, with homes, hotels, and roads being washed away.
- 6 Aug 2025 7:45 PM IST
CM Dhami chairs meeting with officials
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami chairs a meeting at the District Disaster Management Centre to review updates from officials on the ongoing rescue operations.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary-in-charge R.K. Sudhanshu, Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli, DGP Deepam Seth, ADG (AP) Anshuman, Secretaries Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Vinod Kumar Suman, R. Rajesh Kumar, and IG (Fire) Mukhtar Mohsin attend a meeting in the control room.
- 6 Aug 2025 7:14 PM IST
190 people rescued, says Uttarakhand CM
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said 190 people have been rescued from Uttarkashi's Dharali village.
Talking to PTI, the CM said plans are being prepared to evacuate the pilgrims stuck in Gangotri Dham through Nelong Valley. "All arrangements have been made and they will be evacuated very soon," he added.
"After the incident which took place yesterday, 190 people have been rescued from there. All of them are safe and are at secure places," he said, adding, "The injured have been admitted to hospitals while some have been sent to the military camps and higher centres."
Dhami said the state government employees are doing their work. "I am also camping here. Till all rescue work is streamlined and they catch speed, I will stay put here and monitor everything," he said.
- 6 Aug 2025 5:37 PM IST
CM Dhami to stay in Uttarkashi today
A statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will stay in Uttarkashi today to closely monitor the relief and rescue operations in Dharali.
"The Chief Minister is also constantly reviewing the rescue operation by holding meetings with the officials. The Chief Minister said that the rescue operation is being carried out with full readiness by SDRF, NDRF, Army, ITBP and local administration," it added.
- 6 Aug 2025 5:22 PM IST
Drone visuals from ground zero
Drone footage from the site of Dharali cloudburst and mudslide, which has caused significant damage to houses and other buildings.
Search and rescue work by the Indian Army, ITBP, NDRF, SDRF and other agencies is underway.
- 6 Aug 2025 4:52 PM IST
CM conducts aerial survey
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami conducts an aerial survey and visits Dharali.
Earlier, in a post on X, Dhami wrote, "To expedite relief operations, food and relief materials have been delivered to Dharali via two helicopters. Additionally, heavy machinery is being sent to Dharali with the help of a Chinook helicopter to accelerate relief efforts. Authorities have been instructed to restore drinking water, electricity, and communication systems in the affected areas as soon as possible."
