Colonel's radio message from ground zero: Uttarkashi Army camp hit, but rescue on

In a gripping radio message from the heart of Uttarkashi's flood-hit zone, Colonel Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of the 14th Rajputana Rifles, alerted the Indian Army headquarters about the intensity of rescue operations underway in Dharali village following a devastating landslide and flash floods triggered by a monster cloudburst on Tuesday afternoon.

"I am Colonel Harshvardhan, leading the rescue column in Dharali after the village was hit by a massive landslide. The column strength we have here is around 150 and since yesterday we have been rescuing villagers and taking them to safety," the Colonel said in the radio transmission.

"The number of missing persons is still unknown. However, the relief efforts have continued throughout the night. The Army camp was also hit by a massive landslide and flash floods yesterday. We are trying to establish the connectivity and carry on with the rescue efforts," he added.

Despite damage to military infrastructure, operations have continued round-the-clock under Colonel Harshvardhan’s command. Inputs from him have reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to locating survivors and extending relief in one of the worst-affected zones.

Additional Army columns have since been deployed to Harsil, equipped with tracker dogs, drones, and earthmoving equipment.

Following the cloudburst over the Kheerganga river on August 5, Dharali village in Uttarkashi district was inundated, triggering large-scale flooding and landslides. The Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and district administration have launched massive rescue operations on a war footing.

So far, over 130 people have been evacuated, with at least 70 to 80 shifted to safer ground in Gangotri, officials said. Relief camps have been set up in the region, providing food, water, shelter, and medical assistance.

Helicopters from both the Army and Air Force are on standby for airlifting essential supplies, medical aid, and for evacuating marooned residents, once weather conditions permit. Meanwhile, authorities have relocated residents to higher ground as water levels in the region continue to rise.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday arrived in landslide-hit Uttarkashi and said that massive rescue efforts are underway.

Three SDRF teams remain active on-site alongside the Army units. Meanwhile, due to the incessant rains, residents from low-lying areas have been moved to higher reaches.

Weather conditions remain grim. This is the third consecutive day of heavy rainfall in the state. The India Meteorological Department has issued orange and yellow alerts for several regions.

In Rudraprayag, the Kedarnath Yatra has been suspended temporarily, and schools up to Class 12 in seven districts — Almora, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Champawat, Pauri, and Udham Singh Nagar — remain shut as a precautionary measure.

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