Dehradun: As rescue operations entered their third day on Thursday in the flood-ravaged Uttarkashi region, the Indian Army confirmed that 70 people have been rescued so far, while more than 50 remain missing.
According to officials, at least four people have died since the flash floods struck the ecologically fragile area on Tuesday afternoon. Two bodies were recovered on Wednesday, though it’s unclear if they are among the four previously reported fatalities.
The district administration reported that 65 individuals stranded across various locations were airlifted to Matli town, located 432 km from Dehradun. Rescue teams are also working to transport advanced equipment to the worst-hit Dharali village to speed up the search for those believed to be trapped under debris.
The Army, in coordination with other agencies, has intensified its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Dharali and nearby Harsil. The area remains cut off due to landslides and damaged roads.
In an official statement, the Army said 70 civilians have been rescued, while more than 50 people — including nine Army personnel (one Junior Commissioned Officer and eight jawans) — are still missing. Nine Army personnel and three civilians have been airlifted to Dehradun. Of the civilians, three in critical condition were moved to AIIMS Rishikesh, while eight others were admitted to the Uttarkashi District Hospital.
Road access remains severely disrupted in several areas, including Bartwari, Linchigad, Gangnani, Dharali, and near Harsil. Civil and military rescue teams are working around the clock to evacuate the stranded, provide relief, and restore connectivity.
The military helipads in Harsil and Nelong are operational and connected to Gangotri by road, ensuring movement of rescue teams and tourists. However, the civil helipad in Dharali is non-functional due to a mudslide.
Over 225 Army personnel, including engineers, medical teams, and rescue specialists, are deployed on the ground. Search and rescue dogs, as well as ground-penetrating radar teams, are aiding operations. One Reeco Radar team is already positioned in Tekla village, with another on its way.
Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters are stationed at Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport and are expected to begin civilian evacuations once weather conditions permit. Additionally, five civil helicopters from Sahastradhara are actively operating between Matli, Bhatwari, and Harsil in coordination with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
An ad hoc aviation base is being established at the Matli helipad to support ongoing operations.
Meanwhile, approximately 180–200 tourists stranded in Gangotri are receiving food, shelter, and medical aid from the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
A comprehensive action plan for the next 24–48 hours includes airlifting para-troopers and medical teams to Harsil via Chinook helicopters and deploying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to Nelong via Mi-17s. Efforts are also underway to clear blocked roads near Uttarkashi and Tekla and evacuate tourists from Nelong helipad during return sorties.
Earlier in the day, 65 individuals — including tourists — were evacuated from various locations and brought to Matli by helicopter. Buses have been arranged to transport them to their home destinations. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, currently stationed in Uttarkashi to oversee rescue efforts, met with several rescued passengers. Many were pilgrims traveling to Gangotri when the flash floods struck and expressed gratitude to the Army, state administration, and locals for their support and assistance.
Multiple agencies, including the NDRF, SDRF, Army, ITBP, and police, are involved in the relief and rescue efforts. SDRF Inspector General Arun Mohan Joshi stated that the top priority is to airlift advanced equipment to Dharali. He noted that earlier rescue teams carrying such equipment were delayed by blocked roads.
“There are mounds of debris 50 to 60 feet high, and the missing individuals could be trapped beneath them,” Joshi said. Landslides have blocked key roads leading to Dharali, where numerous homes and vehicles were swept away by floodwaters on Tuesday.
Another critical focus is rescuing the estimated 300–400 pilgrims stranded in remote areas due to road closures. Among the missing may be laborers, as several hotels were under construction when the flash floods hit.
Dharali, a key halt en route to Gangotri — the origin of the Ganga — hosts numerous hotels and homestays. Officials said that sniffer dogs and ground-penetrating radars will be used to help trace the missing in the coming days.
