Dehradun: As the rescue efforts in the Uttarkashi region, devastated by flash floods, reached their third day on Thursday, the Army reported that 70 individuals have been rescued thus far, while over 50 remain unaccounted for.

Officials indicated that at least four fatalities have occurred due to the disaster that impacted this ecologically sensitive area on Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday, rescuers retrieved two bodies, but it remains uncertain whether these were part of the four deaths mentioned the day before.

The district administration announced that 65 individuals stranded in various locations were airlifted to Matli town, located 432 km away. Additionally, efforts have intensified to airlift advanced equipment to the severely affected Dharali village to expedite the search for those trapped beneath the debris, according to officials.

The Indian Army, in close collaboration with other agencies, has enhanced its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Dharali and the nearby Harsil area. The region continues to be isolated due to numerous landslides and road damage. The Army confirmed in an official statement that 70 civilians have been rescued to date, with more than 50 still missing.

It was also reported that nine Army personnel, including one junior commissioned officer and eight soldiers, are unaccounted for. Nine Army members and three civilians were airlifted to Dehradun via helicopter.

Three critically injured civilians were transferred to AIIMS Rishikesh, while eight others were admitted to the district hospital in Uttarkashi, as stated. Road access is significantly hindered at various points, including Bartwari, Linchigad, near Harsil, Gangnani, and Dharali.

Civilian and military teams are tirelessly working around the clock to rescue those stranded, provide assistance, and restore connectivity, according to the Army. The military helipad in Harsil and another in Nelong are operational and linked by road to Gangotri, facilitating the movement of tourists. However, a civil helipad in Dharali is currently non-operational due to a mudslide.

As reported by the Army, over 225 personnel, which include engineers, medical teams, and rescue specialists, are currently deployed on the ground. Additionally, search and rescue dogs have been sent into the field.

One Reeco Radar team is stationed in Tekla village, while another Reeco Radar team is being prepared for further deployment, according to the release.

Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters are on standby at Jollygrant airport in Dehradun and are expected to begin evacuating civilians from Thursday, contingent on improved weather conditions, the report stated.

Five civil helicopters from Sahastradhara are actively engaged in rescue operations between Matli, Bhatwari, and Harsil, in collaboration with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

An ad hoc aviation base is being established at the Matli helipad. The Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are providing food, shelter, and medical assistance to approximately 180-200 tourists stranded in Gangotri, as mentioned in the release. An action plan has been devised for the next 24-48 hours.

This plan encompasses airlifting para troops and medical teams to Harsil via Chinooks, as well as deploying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and medics to Nelong using Mi-17 helicopters, clearing roads ahead of Uttarkashi and Tekla, and evacuating tourists from the Nelong helipad during return flights.

Earlier today, the district administration reported that 65 individuals, including tourists stranded in various locations within Uttarkashi district, have been airlifted to Matli by helicopter. Officials stated that buses have been arranged to transport them to their respective destinations.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who is currently in Uttarkashi overseeing the rescue efforts, spoke with some of the individuals rescued on the buses. The rescued individuals include pilgrims from different regions of the country who were stranded en route to Gangotri due to Tuesday’s flash floods.

They expressed their gratitude to the Army, the state government, and local residents for providing shelter and support in every possible way. The relief and rescue operations involve the NDRF, SDRF, Army, ITBP, police, and other relevant agencies.

SDRF IG Arun Mohan Joshi stated, “Our main focus today is to airlift advanced equipment to the location. Our teams, which were supposed to arrive with advanced equipment on Wednesday, were delayed due to blocked roads.” He mentioned that there are mounds of debris reaching heights of 50 to 60 feet, and those who are missing may be trapped beneath them. Landslides have obstructed the main roads leading to Dharali, where numerous individuals were trapped and many homes and vehicles were swept away by the fierce waters on Tuesday.

The advanced equipment will assist rescuers in sifting through the substantial amount of rubble in search of the missing individuals. Another critical task is to rescue pilgrims who are stranded at various locations due to the blocked roads. Joshi indicated that there could be between 300 and 400 of them.

In addition to locals and tourists, the missing persons may also include laborers, as several hotels were under construction at the site affected by the flash floods.

Dharali serves as the primary stop on the route to Gangotri, the source of the Ganga, and is home to numerous hotels and guesthouses. Officials stated that ground-penetrating radars and sniffer dogs are also expected to be deployed to locate the missing individuals.