Search Efforts Intensify in Uttarkashi as 66 Remain Missing Following Flash Floods

In the aftermath of severe flash floods in India's Uttarakhand state, 66 individuals remain unaccounted for, as rescue efforts face challenges from ongoing inclement weather. With rescue teams utilizing helicopters and radar technology, the search continues for survivors buried in the debris.

At least 66 people are unaccounted for one week after devastating flash floods struck Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, according to local officials. The most recent updates indicated that only one body has been found, a revision from an earlier report estimating four fatalities. Significant portions of Dharali village were inundated on August 5, when heavy rains triggered a mudslide. Nearby, an army camp also suffered significant damage.

Rescue operations are ongoing, but teams are reportedly hindered by adverse weather conditions and the blockage of essential highways due to debris from the mudslide. The region has experienced a prolonged period of heavy rainfall, with Uttarkashi being particularly hard-hit.

According to officials, approximately 1,300 individuals have been rescued from the vicinity of Dharali since the disaster unfolded. The relentless rains resulted in the Kheerganga river overflowing, unleashing a torrent of muddy water that swamped roads, buildings, and shops in Dharali and the neighboring Harsil region. Eyewitness accounts and video footage illustrated the ferocity of the flooding, which left many residents with minimal time to evacuate.

Initially attributed to a cloudburst by local officials, the official weather agency has yet to confirm this as the cause of the flooding. A team of geologists has been dispatched to assess the situation and ascertain the contributing factors behind the disaster. The mud and sludge flushed by the Kheerganga caused blockages in the main river Bhagirathi, forming an artificial lake and submerging a vast area, including critical infrastructure like a government helipad.

Despite initial reports, the local community claims the number of missing individuals may be higher than the official figures, with the missing list comprising 24 Nepalese laborers, 14 locals, and individuals from various states. Rescue workers, who are tirelessly searching through rubble and debris, are employing helicopter missions for access and have constructed a temporary bridge to facilitate navigation in the area.

Efforts to remove debris and restore accessibility in Dharali continue, with Mr. Pandey, a senior local official, providing updates about the developments. Ground teams and specialized sniffer dogs are actively searching for survivors buried beneath the wreckage, which at one site is being cleared by hand with support from radar equipment.

As rescue efforts proceed, concerns arise as a road-repair machine fell into the flooded river, with its driver currently missing. Meteorological authorities are forecasting further heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across Uttarakhand, maintaining high alerts for eight districts, including Garhwal, indicating that the region remains prone to additional flooding events.