Cloudburst: Death toll reaches seven, efforts will be taken to rescue 28 Malayalis stranded in Gangotri

NEW DELHI: The total number of people who lost their lives in the flash flood caused by a cloudburst in Dharali, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, has risen to seven. Two more bodies were recovered yesterday. So far, more than 200 people have been rescued, while over 100 are still missing. Rescue teams are also searching for 10 soldiers and a Junior Commissioned officer who went missing during the rescue efforts.

Following Tuesday's disaster, 28 pilgrims and tourists from Kerala remain stranded in the Gangotri area, awaiting rescue or assistance. Union Minister George Kurian said that the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office has assured that steps will be taken immediately to rescue them. Rescue efforts in Dharali, Harsil, and surrounding areas are facing major challenges due to heavy rain, landslides, snow and damaged or washed-away roads. The bridge connecting Dharali to the outside world was swept away. With the road at Bhattwari completely destroyed, rescue personnel were airlifted to Dharali.

Multiple teams from the Army, Engineering units, Air Force, ITBP, NDRF, and SDRF are actively involved in the operations. The Air Force's advanced C-295 military transport aircraft will also join the efforts. Meanwhile, 413 pilgrims stranded on the Kinnaur Kailash route have been rescued. NDRF has deployed cadaver dogs to help locate missing persons.

20 seconds of destruction
Shocking new visuals released yesterday show Dharali town being washed away in just 20 seconds. The flash flood struck around 1:50 PM on Tuesday.

Disasters keep repeating
Opposition leaders alleged that projects like the Central Government’s Char Dham Highway initiative and road expansions triggered this disaster in Uttarkashi. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi pointed out that such disasters are recurring in places like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Wayanad.