At least 60 people are said to have gone missing, but the number is likely higher, as many had gathered for the Har Dudh fair in Dharali village when the tragedy struck
Pic/PTI
Heavy rain continued to pound Uttarkashi as rescuers resumed their operations on Wednesday in Dharali, searching for flash flood victims amid the rubble, reported news agency PTI.
Nearly half of the picturesque Dharali village was ravaged by the flash flood on Tuesday afternoon.
The village is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri, from where the Ganga originates.
Four deaths have so far been confirmed in the flash flood, which followed a cloudburst. Around 130 people have been evacuated to safety, reported PTI.
Not a single body has yet been retrieved from the rubble.
The Indian Army has deployed its MI-17 and Chinook helicopters to look for the stranded.
At least 60 people are said to have gone missing, but the number is likely higher, as many had gathered for the Har Dudh fair in Dharali village when the tragedy struck.
The missing also include 11 soldiers, Defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Shrivastava said, reported PTI.
Colonel Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 Raj Rif, is leading the relief and rescue operations with a 150-soldier team, reported PTI.
Despite its soldiers going missing and its base being hit, the team is working with full courage and determination, Shrivastava said.
Sharing an X post, Surya Command or the Central Command of the Indian Army wrote, "Col Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 RAJRIF, is personally leading 150 personnel in critical rescue and relief operations since 5 Aug 25 (AN). Inputs from the CO have been received, reassuring the citizens of the Army's continued efforts to rescue all survivors."
"Additional Army columns, along with Army tracker dogs, drones, logistic drones, earthmoving equipment, etc, have been moved ahead to supplement the resources at Harsil to hasten the efforts," the X post added.
Army and Air Force helicopters are assisting in providing the essential supplies and medicines.
"Army and Air Force helicopters for essential supplies, medicines and evacuation of the marooned are also being coordinated. In the meanwhile, the residents have been moved to higher reaches in view of rising water levels due to incessant rains," the Central Command said.
Cloudburst-triggered flash floods in Uttarkashi district on Tuesday wreaked havoc, sweeping away homes, shops, and roads, with several people feared missing.
Two cloudbursts, one in Dharali and another in the Sukhi Top area, caused widespread destruction, with Dharali bearing the brunt. Reportedly, the region also suffered from mudslides and flash floods.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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