The cloudburst has caused widespread destruction, and several people are feared to have been washed away.
Uttrakhand: Massive Mudslide Hits Dharali Village After Cloudburst; Army First to Respond, 20 Rescued
A massive mudslide struck Dharali village in the KheerGad area near Harsil, following a cloudburst that triggered a sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement, the Central Command of the Indian Army said.
The cloudburst has caused widespread destruction, and several people are feared to have been washed away.
Troops from the Ibex Brigade were immediately mobilized to the affected site to assess the situation and begin rescue operations.
Brigadier Mandeep Dhillon, Brigade Commander of the Indian Army, stated that at around 1345 hours (1:45 PM), a cloudburst and subsequent mudslide struck Dharali village. He added that the Indian Army column stationed at Harshil Post was the first to respond, reaching the village within 10 minutes and initiating rescue efforts.
He further stated, “The column comprises around 150 personnel, equipped with specialized medical gear, rescue equipment, and doctors. They are actively engaged in rescuing villagers.”
So far, approximately 20 villagers have been rescued, and the injured are receiving medical treatment.
Brigadier Dhillon added, “Subsequently, another mudslide and cloudburst hit the Army camp in Harshil.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, said he had spoken to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to assess the situation.
“Under the supervision of the state government, relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort. No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people,” PM Modi wrote.
Union Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda also expressed concern in a post, stating, “In this hour of crisis, all BJP workers in the state are involved in providing every possible help to the victims. I express my condolences to the affected families.”
Senior officials, including the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and the Commissioner of Garhwal Division, are monitoring the situation from the State Disaster Operations Centre in Dehradun.
State and Central Forces on High Alert
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “SDRF, NDRF, district administration, and other related teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing. I am in constant contact with senior officials, and the situation is being closely monitored.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke with the Uttarakhand CM to review the situation.
In a post on X, he stated, “Three nearby ITBP teams have been sent to the site, and four NDRF teams have also been dispatched. They will soon arrive and engage in rescue operations.”
A 16-member team from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was rushed to the cloudburst site in Uttarkashi to support rescue efforts.
Additionally, another team from ITBP’s 12th Battalion has been sent from Matli, Uttarakhand, to join operations at the affected site.
Three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)—one each from Maneri, Bhatkot, and Dehradun—have been dispatched to Uttarkashi. Furthermore, two more teams are on standby at Shasradhara Airstrip for potential airlift.
Rescue Operations are underway.
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