Uttarkashi Cloudburst News Highlights: Rescuers retrieve 2 body in flood-struck Dharali, over 130 people evacuated to safer areas

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a field inspection of the increased water level of the river and the surrounding areas in Uttarkashi and directed the officials to remain on alert mode for 24 hours.

Rescuers retrieved one body from the rubble in flood-ravaged Dharali village, as the search for the missing resumed on Wednesday amid rain.

Nearly half of the picturesque Dharali village was ravaged by flash floods on Tuesday afternoon.

The village is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri, from where the Ganga originates, and is home to several hotels and home stays.

Four deaths have so far been confirmed in the flash flood, which followed a cloudburst. Around 130 people have been evacuated to safety, officials said.

Dhami held a meeting with officials at the State Emergency Operation Centre here to review the rescue efforts.

He surveyed the flooded area in Dharali and Harsil from a helicopter.

"The rescue work is apace. Teams from the army, ITBP, and SDRF have reached the spot. Around 70-80 people have been rescued... Debris has reached an army base. A road has been blocked. The DM and an SP rank officer are on their way to the spot. It's a challenging situation as it is still raining there," he told PTI.

Dhami said arrangements have been made for medicines and food, and 160 police personnel have been deployed, 10 of them senior and three SP-rank, to oversee the disbursement of ration

According to the Central Water Commission, as of 6 am on Wednesday, river Alaknanda in the Ganga basin at Rudraprayag was flowing at a level of 627.6 metres, which is 0.60 metres above its danger level of 627 m.

Mandakini in Ganga basin at Gaurikund in Rudraprayag district continues to flow at a level of 1976.8 m, breaching the danger level. This is 0.55 m below its previous high flood level of 1977.35 m which struck Uttarakhand in June 2013.

River Mandakini in Ganga basin at Rudraprayag flowing at 626.3 m is 0.30 m above its danger level of 626.0 m.

River Bhagirathi in Ganga basin at Devprayag is flowing at a level of 464.3 metres, which is 1.30 m above its danger level of 463.0 m.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an aerial survey of the cloudburst and flash flood-affected areas in Uttarkashi's Dharali.

The NDRF has decided to deploy its first-ever team of cadaver dogs to help locate those feared dead in the cloudburst incident in Uttarakhand, PTI news agency reported, quoting official sources.

A pair of these dogs will be airlifted from Delhi even as three teams of the force, comprising 35 rescuers in each, have been rushed to the incident site from various locations in the state.

Cadaver dogs are being deployed in Uttarkashi to find bodies possibly buried beneath debris and slush, to ensure that the families of the victims can get closure, a senior official said.

In addition to cadaver dogs, regular dogs who can sniff and detect survivors buried under mud and slush are also being deployed, he said.

The NDRF has trained about half a dozen cadaver dogs, primarily from the Belgian Malinois and Labrador breeds. For their training, the force procured a special scent from abroad that smells akin to the odour emitted by a dead body.

The ancient Kalp Kedar temple was buried in the debris brought over by the flash flood in the Kheer Ganga river.

The temple remained buried underground for many years, possibly due to a previous disaster, with only its tip visible above ground.

Built in the Kature style, the architecture of the Shiva temple is similar to that of Kedarnath Dham.

An excavation led to its discovery in 1945. After digging several feet underground, an ancient Shiva temple was found whose structure was similar to the Kedarnath temple.

The temple was below the ground level, and devotees had to go down to offer prayers in the temple. (PTI)

The Uttarakhand government Wednesday declared a holiday for classes 1 to 12 and all anganwadi centres in the Champawat, Pauri, and Udham Singh Nagar districts, in view of the rain warning in the state.

The state's Department of Information and Public Relations, posted on X, said, "In view of the weather department's rain warning in Uttarakhand, a holiday has been declared for all schools from class 1 to 12 and Anganwadi centers in the state's Champawat, Pauri, and Udham Singh Nagar districts."

Meanwhile, as Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took stock of the disaster situation from Dehradun's Disaster Control Room, he ordered for district administration to "remain on 24-hour alert mode," while also making sure that ambulances services in and around Dharali. The leaves of all medical officers and staff have also been cancelled.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami over the phone Wednesday and inquired about the relief and rescue operations at the disaster site in the Dharali area of ​​Uttarakhand district

"The state government is engaged in relief and rescue operations with full readiness," Uttarakhand CM said to PM Modi. "Due to continuous heavy rains, there are difficulties in some areas, but all the concerned agencies are working in coordination so that the affected people can get quick assistance," he added.

The PM also assured all possible assistance from the central government.

Four people have lost their lives, while 11 soldiers and several civilians remain missing after a massive debris slide struck the Kheer Ganga river. The powerful flow swept away multiple hotels, shops, and restaurants in its path.

Rescue teams from SDRF posts in Bhatwari and Gangotri, along with rescue equipment, have reached the incident site, said the force. Through satellite phone communication, the rescue team has informed that 60 to 70 people have been rescued from the disaster-affected area and moved to a safe location. Other SDRF teams are on the way and will soon reach the affected area.

A joint team comprising 201 personnel has reached the incident site at Dharali Khiragad with equipment and is carrying out rescue operations. This includes:

Additionally, under the supervision of the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Bhattwadi, and Tehsildar Bhattwadi, a second joint team of 211 personnel with equipment has been dispatched to the incident site. This includes:

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed grief over the deaths caused by a cloudburst in Dharali, Uttarakhand, which triggered flash floods and claimed at least four lives. Rahul Gandhi urged the administration to expedite rescue efforts and appealed to Congress workers to assist. Priyanka Gandhi also called for immediate relief, compensation, and support to the victims, expressing hope for the safe return of the missing. Hearing the news of some deaths and a large number of people missing in the cloudburst incident in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, has deeply saddened my heart," she said in a post in Hindi on X.

A sudden cloudburst in Dharali village of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand triggered the overflow of a local stream, causing a surge of water from the nearby hills. The incident took place close to Gangotri Dham.

Four people died and several have been reported missing after a cloud burst triggered flash floods and a debris slide in Dharali village in Uttarakhand’s Kheer Gad on Tuesday. The region is situated 10km away from the popular tourist site, Harshil.

Relief teams, including forces of the Indian Army, the State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force and Fire department and police are engaging in rescue efforts, officials said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that evacuation is being undertaken on priority basis and the situation is being constantly monitored....continue reading

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed his condolences through his post on X to those affected by the tragic flash floods in Dharali, Uttarkashi. “I pray for the well-being of all the victims,” he said. The Prime Minister added that, "I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami ji and obtained information about the situation. Under the supervision of the state government, relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort. No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people. "

District Magistrate Prashant Arya on Tuesday stated that there were reports of four deaths so far.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said he has spoken to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand to gather details about the flash flood in Dharali, Uttarkashi. In response to the incident, three teams of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and four teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been dispatched to the affected area. The teams are expected to reach the site soon and begin rescue and relief operations.

Rescue operations are underway, with an Army team from Harsil deployed to assist local authorities. Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed the deaths and said relief efforts are on in full swing. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami posted on X that SDRF, NDRF, and district teams are working on a war footing. “I am in constant touch with senior officials. The situation is being monitored closely,” he said, expressing grief over the loss and praying for everyone’s safety.

A cloudburst on Tuesday triggered flash floods in Dharali, a high-altitude village en route to Gangotri, Uttarakhand. The sudden flood, caused by a cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga river catchment area, swept away houses and damaged several others, officials said. Villagers fear that up to a dozen people could still be buried under the rubble, and 20-25 hotels and homestays may have been washed away. Dharali, a key stopover with numerous hotels and homestays, was among the worst hit. According to initial PTI reports, at least four people have died, with local authorities fearing more casualties.