A CLOUDBURST triggered catastrophic flash floods in the Dharali village of Uttarakhand, India’s northern state, leaving over 100 people missing.
The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, sending a massive surge of water down the mountains, submerging roads and buildings. While local media reports cite four deaths, officials have yet to confirm any fatalities, hampered by the challenging conditions and inaccessibility of the affected area.
Rescue efforts are underway, but progress is slow due to damaged roads, heavy rainfall, and significant debris covering the area.
The Uttarkashi district, where Dharali is located, has been severely impacted by weeks of heavy rainfall.
Around 130 people have been rescued, according to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. However, the situation remains critical, with at least 10 soldiers from a nearby Indian army base in Harsil also reported missing.
The remoteness of Dharali, a popular tourist destination, and the extensive damage to infrastructure are significantly hindering rescue operations. Communication with disaster response teams already deployed near the site is difficult due to poor network connectivity and power outages.
Heavy rains continue to batter the region, further complicating rescue efforts and causing additional damage to roads and infrastructure.
Many routes on the main highway remain closed, impeding access for rescue teams and aid supplies. The sheer volume of sludge and debris in the flood-affected area poses a significant challenge to rescue workers, slowing the pace of search and rescue operations.
The ongoing severe weather conditions and communication difficulties underscore the immense challenges faced in the ongoing rescue efforts.
