Uttarkashi flooding incidents rescue 75 individuals; 49 people remain unaccounted for
Rescue and Relief Efforts Progress in Flood-Hit Uttarakhand
As of August 11, 2025, rescue and relief efforts in the flood-affected regions of Dharali and Harsil, Uttarakhand, continue under challenging conditions due to persistent heavy rainfall and unstable terrain.
So far, approximately 1,278 people have been evacuated, including all stranded visitors and locals unable to leave on their own. However, 43 people remain missing, including nine Army personnel, eight local residents of Dharali, and others from nearby villages and states, as well as Nepalese workers. Two bodies have been recovered in Dharali. Around 300 residents continue to stay at the site amidst active relief operations.
A combined team from the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and geologists is conducting search and rescue operations under difficult conditions due to damaged roads and the risk of landslides. The state government and disaster management officials remain on high alert due to forecasts of continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in Uttarkashi and nearby districts until August 15, which complicates relief access and raises the risk of further flash floods and landslides.
Relief efforts also include relocating vulnerable populations living near rivers and ensuring adequate supplies of food grains and essential medicines. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with officials to maintain vigilance and aid to the displaced.
Significant progress has been made in restoring infrastructure. Road restoration is in progress, and internet connectivity is expected to be restored by the end of the day today. A community kitchen has been established in Harsil and will begin in Dharali today. Necessary relief materials have started being distributed.
The Indian Air Force has intensified the ongoing rescue work in Harsil, with 119 people having been airlifted to Dehradun. As of today, about 150 people have been evacuated. An assessment of the loss of agriculture and property will be conducted today.
The operation is ongoing, and multiple agencies are working together to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected by the floods.
- In the aftermath of the flood, the defi (finance) department has allocated extra funds to support the relief efforts in Uttarakhand.
- With the increasing importance of health-and-wellness during crises, mobile health clinics have been set up in the flood-affected areas to provide basic medical care.
- As the weather remains unpredictable, meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation to predict any further rainfall that might impact the current market conditions and relief operations in Uttarakhand.
