Uttarkashi Ground Zero: Key road to Dharali washed out, rescue teams stranded

As authorities race against time to rescue those feared trapped due to flash floods in Uttarakhand, they were dealt a blow as incessant heavy rain washed away a key strategic road connecting Uttarkashi to Dharali and Gangotri.

Visuals captured by India Today reporters at ground zero showed that the entire stretch near the Bhagirathi river caved in, cutting off access to the worst-hit Dharali village. The road collapse has left a rescue team of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) stranded in the area.

Over four people have died and several are missing as a devastating flash flood, allegedly triggered by a cloudburst in the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, swept away hotels and shops in Dharali village.

The Dharali village is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri, a widely popular tourist hub.

With the key stretch cut off, the Indian Army has deployed its MI-17 and Chinook helicopters to look for the stranded. As per the latest reports, around 130 people have been evacuated.

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