Tragedy Strikes Uttarakhand’s Dharali Village
A devastating cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Dharali village has resulted in a tragic loss of life and property. The incident, captured on video, shows the harrowing escape of two men as they navigate through a torrent of sludge and water. The cloudburst, which occurred in the Uttarkashi district, flattened much of the village within moments, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Casualties and Damage
The disaster has claimed at least four lives, with fears that up to 50 individuals may still be trapped under the debris. The visuals from the scene depict a village overwhelmed by water, sludge, and rocks as a massive stream surged through following the cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga river catchment area. Dharali, known for its hospitality industry with numerous hotels and home stays, has seen significant damage, with 20-25 establishments reportedly washed away.
Rescue Operations Underway
In response to the calamity, rescue operations have been launched with urgency. The Indian Army was quick to respond, reaching the affected area within 10 minutes. Brigadier Mandeep Dhillon stated that approximately 150 personnel equipped with specialized medical and rescue equipment are actively involved in saving lives. So far, around 20 people have been rescued. Additional support is being provided by three teams from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and four teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Government Response and Weather Warnings
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences to those affected by this tragedy and assured that all possible efforts are being made to assist the victims. He remains in contact with Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami to monitor the situation closely. The state of Uttarakhand has been experiencing heavy monsoon rains, prompting the weather office to issue a ‘red’ alert for extremely heavy rainfall today and a ‘yellow’ alert for continued heavy rainfall throughout the week.