Indian Army Escalates Relief Efforts in Uttarakhand's Dharali Post-Cloudburst
The Indian Army has ramped up its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Dharali, close to Harsil, after a catastrophic cloudburst severed the region's connections to both the north and south, owing to several road breaches and a collapsed bridge.
Over 225 Army personnel, encompassing infantry and engineering units, are actively engaged in search, rescue, and relief activities. Combat engineers are working to clear debris to restore access in the affected zones. Near Tekla, seven teams equipped with Reeco Radar are in operation, while search and rescue dogs have been deployed in Harsil, with additional teams on their way from Remount and Veterinary Centres.
Air support has been activated, with the military helipad at Harsil now functional. Coordinated with the SDRF, three civil helicopters from Sahastradhara have landed at Bhatwari and Harsil to evacuate casualties and supply relief materials. Chinook, Mi-17, and ALH helicopters are on standby at Jolly Grant, Chandigarh, and Sarsawa, ready for further troop and material airlifts, pending clearance.
According to the civil administration, 70 civilians have been rescued, three fatalities have been confirmed, and over 50 individuals are still missing. The Army has also reported nine personnel missing, including one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). Three casualties have been airlifted.
The disaster has inflicted extensive damage to infrastructure, with critical road segments near Bartwari, Linchigad, and Gangrani being washed away. Additionally, a mudslide has rendered the civil helipad at Dharali inoperable.
Despite the difficult terrain and unfavorable weather conditions, the Indian Army remains committed to assisting the local administration, with ongoing rescue and relief operations.
