UTTARKASHI, August 7 — Rescue operations in Uttarkashi entered their third day on Thursday as over 50 people remained missing following flash floods and landslides that struck the remote Himalayan region earlier this week. The Army said 70 civilians had been rescued so far while four deaths were confirmed.
According to officials, the disaster hit the ecologically sensitive zone on Tuesday afternoon, cutting off access to villages like Dharali and Harsil. Rescue teams recovered two bodies on Wednesday, though it remained unclear if they were among the four reported dead.
The Army, in coordination with civilian agencies, ramped up Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts in the worst-hit regions. “Seventy civilians have been rescued so far and more than 50 are still missing,” said an official Army release.
The statement also confirmed that nine Army personnel — a junior commissioned officer and eight soldiers — are unaccounted for. “Nine soldiers and three civilians were evacuated to Dehradun by helicopter. Three critically injured civilians were shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh, while eight were admitted to the district hospital in Uttarkashi,” the Army added.
District authorities said 65 people stranded at various spots were airlifted to Matli town, approximately 430 km from Dehradun. Meanwhile, efforts continued to airlift heavy equipment to Dharali, where debris from landslides is hampering search efforts.
“The situation is grave,” said a district official. “Road connectivity is broken at Bartwari, Linchigad, Gangnani and near Harsil. We are racing against time.”
The Army confirmed that over 225 personnel, including engineers, medics, and rescue specialists, are deployed in the region. Search and rescue dogs and advanced Recco Radar teams have been pressed into service, with one unit stationed at Tekla village and another being moved into position.
Helicopter support has been central to the ongoing operation. Five civil helicopters from Sahastradhara are ferrying relief and personnel 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 streamline operations.
Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters are on standby at Dehradun’s Jollygrant Airport and are expected to commence further evacuations once the weather clears.
Tourists trapped in the Gangotri area are also receiving aid. “Approximately 180 to 200 tourists are being provided with food, shelter, and medical care by Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) teams,” the Army said.
While the Army helipads in Harsil and Nelong are functional and linked to Gangotri, the civil helipad in Dharali remains unusable due to a mudslide, officials noted.
As the search for the missing continues, rescuers face logistical and weather-related challenges. Yet efforts are intensifying with every passing hour. “Our teams are working non-stop to bring everyone to safety,” an Army spokesperson said.
