In the wake of devastating flash floods that struck the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, official reports indicate that 66 individuals remain unaccounted for one week after the disaster. Currently, only one body has been retrieved, a revision from the previous count of four fatalities.
The calamity unfolded on August 5 when heavy rains triggered a mudslide that partially submerged the village of Dharali. Nearby military installations also sustained severe damage. As rescue operations continue, teams are tirelessly searching for the missing, although adverse weather conditions and blocked roads due to the mudslide are complicating their efforts.
Ongoing rescue efforts and challenges
Uttarakhand has faced relentless rainfall for weeks, with the Uttarkashi region, home to Dharali, being among the hardest hit. Officials report that approximately 1,300 individuals have been rescued from areas near Dharali since the onset of the disaster.
The torrential rains last week caused the Kheerganga river to overflow, unleashing torrents of muddy water that devastated the hilly landscape, inundating roads, buildings, and shops in Dharali, as well as the nearby village of Harsil. Eyewitness videos captured the horrifying moment as massive waves of water surged through the area, crushing structures and leaving little time for residents to escape.
“Efforts are continuously being made to remove the debris and construct roads in Dharali to restore order,”
Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister and various officials initially attributed the flash floods to a cloudburst, although this has yet to be verified by India’s meteorological authorities. To investigate the causes of the flash floods, Vinay Shankar Pandey, a senior local official, announced the deployment of a team of ten geologists to the affected village.
Current situation and future outlook
The debris from the Kheerganga river has obstructed a segment of the main Bhagirathi river, creating an artificial lake that has submerged extensive areas, including a government helipad. Rescue teams are working diligently to drain this lake, which had temporarily receded but refilled following additional rainfall.
According to Mr. Pandey, the list of those missing includes 24 Nepalese workers, 14 local residents, nine army personnel, and individuals from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. However, local residents have expressed concerns that the actual number of missing persons may be higher.
Rescue operations are employing helicopters to access the stranded areas of Dharali, where debris remains a significant barrier. A temporary bridge has been constructed to facilitate easier access as teams continue to clear obstructed roads. Sniffer dogs and earth-moving equipment are being utilized to locate those potentially trapped beneath the rubble.
A rescue worker reported that they are manually excavating debris from where a hotel once stood, as there was a notable presence of individuals in that vicinity when the disaster struck. “The debris here is being dug manually with the help of radar equipment as people might be buried here,” the worker stated.
Additionally, a road-repair machine near Kheerganga fell into the swollen river, and the operator is currently unaccounted for. The Indian Meteorological Department has forecasted continued heavy rains and thunderstorms across several regions of Uttarakhand until August 14, prompting high alerts in eight districts, including Garhwal.