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.
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Live Updates
- 6 Aug 2025 11:32 AM IST
One body retrieved from debris
Rescuers retrieved one body from the rubble in flood-ravaged Dharali village, as the search for the missing resumed on Wednesday amid rain.
Four deaths have so far been confirmed in the flash flood, which followed a cloudburst. Around 130 people have been evacuated to safety.
At least 60 people are said to have gone missing, but the number is likely higher, as many had gathered for the Har Dudh fair in Dharali village when the tragedy struck.
The missing include 11 soldiers, Defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Shrivastava said.
- 6 Aug 2025 10:50 AM IST
Dhami takes stock of situation
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami reaches State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to take stock of the cloudburst and flash flood disaster in Dharali. - 6 Aug 2025 10:49 AM IST
NH-34 damaged in multiple locations
Incessant rainfall in Uttarakhand has damaged roads at multiple locations on NH-34 (Uttarkashi–Gangotri axis), including a 100m washout at Papadgad and major debris blockage near Dharali. Restoration work by BRO is underway despite inclement weather, continuous rainfall and slush. - 6 Aug 2025 10:37 AM IST
Ganga rises in Haridwar; official says no reason to panic
As water level of the Ganga rises in Haridwar after continuous rainfall, Executive Engineer of the Irrigation Department, Vikas Tyagi, says, “It is the rainy season, and an alert has been issued by the Meteorological Department. It is raining in 11 districts of Uttarakhand, which has also affected the water level of the Ganga River in Haridwar. Yesterday, its level was around 293, which is the warning level here, and today it has risen to near the danger mark. However, it has not yet reached the danger mark. But with the way it is raining, it will remain close to the danger mark today... There is no alarming situation in Haridwar. The situation is completely under control... We are in contact with the administration, and the administration is active...”
- 6 Aug 2025 10:34 AM IST
Rescue ops will begin as soon as weather clears: CM Dhami
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, "All our agencies, including the Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF and locals, are doing the rescue work. 130 people were rescued yesterday. A search and rescue operation is underway. Due to damage to the roads and a bridge, it has become difficult to reach the spot. The Disaster Operations Station in Dehradun is working 24 hours to provide all possible assistance. We are putting in efforts to rescue everyone safely. I want to thank PM Modi for providing every possible assistance. PM Modi took the details of the rescue operation today as well..... 10 DSP, 3 SP and around 160 police officials are engaged in carrying out rescue operations... Helicopters of the Indian Army are also ready. As soon as the weather improves, the helicopters will be used for rescue operations. Food packets, a team of doctors have been prepared. The work to restore electricity is also underway. Mobile network is not available in Dharali as of now. We are trying to reach the people. We are putting in efforts to rescue everyone safely..." - 6 Aug 2025 10:31 AM IST
Harsil helipad submerged
"We have 4-5 choppers available. We will start air efforts as soon as we get favourable weather conditions. Harsil helipad is submerged," says Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) CEO Ashish Chauhan. - 6 Aug 2025 10:00 AM IST
At least 60 missing, no bodies found yet
Rescuers have resumed operations in Dharali, searching for flash flood victims amid the rubble even as heavy rain continues to pound Uttarkashi. Not a single body has yet been retrieved from the rubble.
The Indian Army has deployed its MI-17 and Chinook helicopters to look for the stranded.
At least 60 people are said to have gone missing, but the number is likely higher, as many had gathered for the Har Dudh fair in Dharali village when the tragedy struck.
The missing also include 11 soldiers, Defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Shrivastava said.
Colonel Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 Raj Rif, is leading the relief and rescue operations with a 150-soldier team.
Despite its soldiers going missing and its base being hit, the team is working with full courage and determination, Shrivastava said. - 6 Aug 2025 9:34 AM IST
Dhami updates Modi on status of rescue and relief
According to the Uttarakhand CMO, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to CM Pushkar Singh Dhami over the phone and inquired about the disaster in Dharali and sought the updated status of relief and rescue operations. CM Dhami told the Prime Minister that the state government is engaged in relief and rescue operations with full readiness. Due to continuous heavy rains, there are difficulties in some areas, but all the agencies concerned are working in coordination so that the affected people can get quick assistance. Prime Minister Modi assured all possible assistance from the central government.
