Uttarkashi Flash Floods: CM Dhami Leads Rescue Operation, 150 Rescued, Death Toll is up to 5

Uttarkashi Flash Floods: A cloudburst in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand has claimed a total of five lives with several more missing after it triggered massive flash floods in the village of Dharali on Tuesday. Rescue workers are engaged in search and rescue of more than 100 people that were reported missing. The INAF personnel pulled out 150 people among them, the Indian army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police and are continuing with the effort in spite of incessant rains and difficult terrain.

The chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was on the ground zero on Wednesday morning. He visited the rescue and relief work and had an aerial survey of the worst affected village Dharali and the adjacent places.

He also presided over a disaster meeting at Dehradun State Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Dhami also visited the disaster victims at the Uttarkashi PWD Guest House and assured them of their missing relatives rescuing them soon.

Also Read: American Airlines Passenger Meltdown After Vaping in Airplane Bathroom: “Don’t Touch Me!”

Talking to reporters, CM said, “Ten DSPs, three SPs and around 160 police officials are engaged in carrying out rescue operations. Helicopters of the army are also ready. As soon as the weather improves, the helicopters will be used for rescue operations," reported news agency ANI.

Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talked to the CM of Uttarakhand to know about the situation and check the response. Following the call, Dhami posted on social media: “Heartfelt gratitude to the honourable Prime Minister for extending all possible assistance.”

What went down in Uttarkashi

Following chaos occurred in a region after two separate cloudbursts in Dharali and Sukhi Top in the afternoon on Tuesday around 1:40 PM with Dharali village in Uttarkashi being worst hit. The scenes of destruction across the region have been described by images of villages wrecked by muddy torrents that left a path of destruction behind.

Officials said some 2025 hotels and guesthouses were swept away and a widespread area of Dharali market being “swept clear off.” The flash floods occurred when a cloudburst that resulted in mudslides in Kheer Gadh area occurred in Kheer Ganga catchment.

The 5 latest updates:

1. Uttarkashi experienced two instances of cloudburst one at Dharali and one at Sukhi Top that resulted in brutal flooding and landslides.
2. So far at least five people died, several remain missing and are thought to be trapped.
3. According to locals more than 20 hotels and guesthouses might have been destroyed or submerged.
4. Relief and rescue measures are in progress and the NDRF and SDRF, ITBP, and Indian Army have been deployed and three teams of NDRF have been sent in.
5. PM Modi and union home minister Amit Shah have given full central support and CM Pushkar Dhami is herself also attending the relief work.

Also Read: PM Modi Praises Amit Shah as Longest-Serving Home Minister: “Aage Jaana Hai”

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X, “I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and obtained information about the situation.”

Amit Shah has issued instructions to deploy the teams of NDRF and ITBP in the area immediately. Dhami was also spoken to, and expressed support by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

Full force has been put under the emergency response teams such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Army, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

Also Read: Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Ancient Kalp Kedar Shiva Temple Buried Under Debris