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

Rescue operations continued on Wednesday in flood-hit Dharali village in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district after devastating flash floods and landslides swept away homes, vehicles, and left dozens missing the previous day.

Two bodies were recovered on Wednesday and around 150 people have been rescued so far, with search efforts hampered by persistent rain and blocked roads. Around 60 others are still missing, officials say.

The body was identified as that of 35-year-old Akash Panwar, officials at the Uttarkashi Disaster Control Room confirmed. The disaster was triggered by what authorities described as a cloudburst on Tuesday afternoon, burying nearly half of Dharali under a massive mudslide comprised of slush, debris, and water.

Among those missing are 11 Army personnel from the nearby Harsil camp and a 28-member tourist group, primarily from Kerala and Maharashtra. A relative of one of the missing tourists said, “They said they were leaving from Uttarkashi to Gangotri at around 8.30 am that day (Tuesday). The landslides occurred along that route. We have been unable to contact them since they left.” Read

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.

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.

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. "

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.