Dharali is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri and home to many hotels, restaurants and home stays. The devastating flashflood came in the wake of a cloudburst somewhere in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river
Several houses and cars partially submerged due to the flash floods in the Dharali village area. Pic/PTI
A cloudburst led to flash floods in the high altitude villages of Dharali in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday with several houses damaged or swept away in the raging waters and at least four people killed, officials said. Dharali is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri and home to many hotels, restaurants and home stays. The devastating flashflood came in the wake of a cloudburst somewhere in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river.
At least four people have died, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya told reporters. About 10-12 people could be buried under the debris, said Rajesh Panwar, a villager. He said 20-25 hotels and homestays may have been washed away. Videos from the area showed a torrent of muddy water and silt rushing down the slopes towards settlements along the banks of the river.
“The news of heavy losses due to cloudburst in Dharali (Uttarkashi) area is extremely sad and painful. SDRF, NDRF, district administration and other related teams are engaged on war footing in relief and rescue operations,” Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said in a post on X. “I am constantly in touch with senior officials in this regard and the situation is being closely monitored,” he said.
Shah speaks to CM
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday spoke with CM Dhami to enquire about the situation and ordered the dispatch of seven rescue teams to assist the affected people. “Three ITBP teams, stationed nearby, have been sent to the spot while four NDRF teams have been dispatched and they will reach soon and engage in rescue operations,” Shah said. Officials said that a 16-member Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) team has reached Dharali from its 12th battalion stationed at Matli in Uttarakhand while another unit of the same strength has also been asked to rush to the cloudburst site.
‘Praying for well-being’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was praying for the well-being of those hit by flash floods, and assured his full help. “I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy. Along with this, I pray for the well-being of all the victims,” Modi wrote on X. He said relief and rescue teams are at work. “No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people,” the PM said.
Expedite relief: Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condoled the loss of lives and appealed to the administration to expedite relief and rescue operations.
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