Uttarkashi: On Thursday, Indian security and disaster management teams are actively engaged in rescue efforts in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, following a cloudburst and mudslide incident. Individuals trapped near Uttarkashi have been transported to the Matli helipad.

The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Uttarakhand Police, and local authorities are conducting an extensive rescue operation in the Dharali area of Uttarkashi.

Two individuals with serious injuries were referred to AIIMS Rishikesh from the Health Camp at Matli and have been admitted to the facility.

Providing an update on the rescue efforts, Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey stated that two sorties carrying 9-10 evacuees have departed from Harsil, and an IAF Chinook helicopter will soon take off from Jolly Grant Airport with NDRF personnel and necessary supplies.

Commissioner Pandey remarked, “Our helicopter operations have commenced. Our primary focus is to evacuate pilgrims from Gangotri Dham. Two sorties with 9-10 evacuees have already taken off from Harsil, and operations will continue throughout the day. An IAF Chinook will soon depart from Jolly Grant Airport with NDRF personnel and essential materials, which will be delivered to Harsil. The District Magistrate and SSP have set up their offices in the field, and technical experts from all essential services have arrived.”

He also mentioned that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is present in Uttarkashi, overseeing the rescue operations.
“At present, our search and rescue efforts are in full swing, and we anticipate that the situation will normalize within one or two days. The road connecting Uttarkashi to Harsil has suffered significant damage, and reconstruction will require time. The CM is also stationed in Uttarkashi, supervising all operations,” he added.

Anamika Mehra from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, who was rescued by the security forces, expressed her gratitude towards the Indian Army, state police, and government.

Mehra stated, “At the time of the incident, we were close to Dharali. We were en route to Gangotri for darshan. The following day, the entire nation rallied to support us. All rescue teams arrived to assist us. I would like to express my gratitude to the Indian Army and the Uttarakhand Police. The villagers in Bagori provided us with mental support and arranged our accommodation at no cost. I wish to commend the Uttarakhand Government for promptly providing us with helicopter services and facilitating our rescue.”

Her relative, Rupesh Mehra, mentioned that the roads were obstructed, but they were saved with the assistance of the deployed agencies. “The roads were blocked there. We were rescued using helicopters. We received substantial help from all the agencies present, and we were evacuated from that location,” he remarked.

Arohi Mehra from Jalgaon expressed, “I was extremely frightened during the entire ordeal. The villagers were incredibly helpful. We drew a lot of strength from seeing our soldiers from the Indian Army.”

Previously, Jalgaon Collector Ayush Prasad reported that 16 individuals from Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district are still unaccounted for. Providing a situation update, he stated, “It has been noted that 19 individuals from Jalgaon district are in Uttarkashi, with contact established with three of them. We have not yet been able to reach the remaining 16 individuals.”

He further mentioned that both the Maharashtra government and the Jalgaon district administration are actively collaborating with the Uttarakhand government and Uttarkashi district authorities to locate the missing persons.

He concluded, “The Maharashtra government and district administration have made efforts to connect with the Uttarakhand government and the Uttarkashi district administration. We are receiving comprehensive support from the Uttarakhand government.”