Uttarakhand Cloudburst: Over 50 Airlifted to Safety as Army Ramps Up Relief Efforts

Dehradun – Relief and rescue operations are in full swing in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, two days after devastating cloudbursts triggered flash floods in the Dharali region, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

By Thursday morning, more than 50 people had been airlifted from the flood-affected zone in Dharali to higher ground in Matli via helicopter. From there, the evacuees were being transported to their respective hometowns.

Officials released a list of 55 rescued individuals along with their contact numbers, confirming their safe evacuation. Many more are expected to be airlifted throughout the day.

The massive rescue effort is being led by the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), working in close coordination with the Uttarakhand Police and local authorities.

The Indian Army has intensified relief operations in the affected areas around Dharali and Harsil. Over 225 troops, including specialized engineering and medical teams, are on the ground carrying out rescue and aid missions. Drones have been deployed for aerial surveillance and to locate stranded individuals in hard-to-reach regions.

Multiple road blockages have been reported at Bartwari, Linchigad, Gangrani, and near Dharali, hampering ground movement. To support ongoing airlift operations, Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters are on standby in Dehradun, and an ad-hoc aviation base is being set up at Matli Helipad.

Recco radar units, search-and-rescue dogs, and five civilian helicopters have also been deployed to enhance the speed and efficiency of the rescue efforts.

In a statement released Thursday morning, the Indian Army confirmed that Lt Gen Sengupta, Army Commander of the Central Command, and GOC UB Area are personally present at Dharali to oversee the operations. The statement emphasized,

“With seamless coordination underway with HQ Central Air Command, every possible effort is being made to ensure the safe evacuation and care of all those affected. The Indian Army stands firmly with the people of Uttarakhand in this hour of crisis.”

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a Red Alert for several districts including Pauri Garhwal, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Bageshwar, and Nainital, valid until August 12.

As a precaution, all schools and educational institutions in the affected areas have been closed, and residents have been advised to remain indoors and stay alert.

With inputs from IANS