Scope of Uttarkashi disaster becomes clearer: Over 60 estimated missing, rescuers race against time & wall of debris

The Army said that Airforce helicopters for essential supplies, medicines and evacuation of the marooned are also being coordinated. The residents have been moved to higher reaches in view of rising water levels due to incessant rains.

Dharali was situated on the point of confluence of Kheer Ganga, a tributary, and river Bhagirathi.

The cause of the flood remains unknown, with IMD data ruling out cloud burst. A scientist at Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology said that while it’s unclear until a site visit is undertaken, a glacial lake outburst flood might have resulted in the sudden rise in water levels and the subsequent debris slide.

The disaster resembles the Tapovan floods of Chamoli in 2021 when over 200 people had died or gone missing after a flash flood ravaged a hydroelectric project on the Dhauli Ganga river. Rescue operations had dragged on for weeks after the forces failed to break through the slush and debris at a tunnel, the main rescue point of the operation. The current operation at Dharali is expected to take a long-time frame and additional police forces have been dispatched to the site, officials said.

Houses being swept away in a flash flood at Dharali, in Uttarkashi district. (Photo: PTI)

Currently, over 250 personnel are present at the site and a further 200 personnel of Border Roads Organisation and ITBP are on their way.

Due to disruption in electricity in Dharali, there is no network connectivity, making communication difficult for the rescue team. Satellite phones have been sent to the incident site, and teams have been dispatched to restore network connectivity.

The first body has been retrieved belonging to Akash Panwar (32), of Barali village, Uttarkashi.

The helipads at Jhala and Chinyalisain airstrip have been activated.

Coordination with the state government is underway to make helicopters available for rescue operations in Dharali, district administration said.

Shelters have been set up at Government Kirti Inter College and GIC College for residents living along riverbanks in the district headquarters area, and Government Inter College, Jhala/Harsil and Garhwal Mandal will double up as a relief camp.

Rivers in spate

Uttarakhand’s major rivers have breached the danger levels in various areas:

• According to the Central Water Commission, as of 6 am on Wednesday, river Alaknanda in the Ganga basin at Rudraprayag was flowing at a level of 627.6 metres, which is 0.60 metres above its danger level of 627 m.
• Mandakini in Ganga basin at Gaurikund in Rudraprayag district continues to flow at a level of 1976.8 m, breaching the danger level. This is 0.55 m below its previous high flood level of 1977.35 m which struck Uttarakhand in June 2013.
• River Mandakini in Ganga basin at Rudraprayag flowing at 626.3 m is 0.30 m above its danger level of 626.0 m.
• River Bhagirathi in Ganga basin at Devprayag is flowing at a level of 464.3 metres, which is 1.30 m above its danger level of 463.0 m.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday to take stock of the ongoing relief and rescue operations. Dhami said that continuous heavy rainfall is posing challenges in some areas, but all agencies are working in coordination to provide prompt assistance to those affected. Modi assured all possible support from the central government.