Urgent Rescue Operations Continue as 66 Remain Missing After Uttarakhand Floods

Flash floods in Uttarakhand's Dharali village have left 66 people missing amid ongoing rescue operations hampered by adverse weather conditions. A revised death toll indicates only one body has been recovered, raising concerns about safety and rescue efforts in the flood-stricken region.

Amid the chaos and destruction caused by recent flash floods in Uttarakhand, India, rescue operations are in full swing as officials report that at least 66 individuals are still missing one week after the catastrophic event. As of now, only one body has been recovered, prompting authorities to revise earlier estimates of the death toll, which initially stated four fatalities.

The disaster struck on August 5, when severe rains triggered a mudslide that inundated much of Dharali village, causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. An army camp nearby also fell victim to the floods, highlighting the extent of the disaster. Despite continuous efforts, rescue operations are struggling due to inclement weather, which has obstructed critical roadways, complicating the search for those unaccounted for.

Heavy rainfall in the weeks leading up to the floods had already saturated the region, particularly affecting Uttarkashi, where Dharali is located. As the Kheerganga river overflowed, massive torrents of muddy water cascaded down, flooding roads, buildings, and local shops. Eyewitness videos depict scenes of overwhelming force as waves of water destroyed anything in their path, leaving terrified residents little time to seek safety.

Although initial assessments from local officials attributed the floods to a cloudburst, the Indian Meteorological Department has yet to confirm this causational link. In an effort to better understand the disaster's origins, a team of ten geologists has been dispatched to the affected area.

Adding to the complexity, the sludge from Kheerganga has obstructed the regional Bhagirathi river, forming an artificial lake that has submerged vast areas, including essential services like a government helipad. Rescue teams are engaged in efforts to drain this newly formed lake, although recent rains have caused it to swell again.

The list of missing persons includes 24 Nepali workers, 14 locals, nine army personnel, and individuals from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. However, local residents express concerns that the number of unaccounted individuals may be even greater than reported.

Rescue operations are also utilizing helicopters to access Dharali as debris continues to inhibit ground routes. Teams have constructed a temporary bridge to facilitate easier access, focusing on clearing the path and establishing order amidst the wreckage.

As hopes dwindled, specialized search efforts have been employed, including the use of sniffer dogs and earth-moving machinery aimed at locating people buried beneath the rubble. Rescuers describe digging efforts as painstaking, with manual labor coupled with advanced radar technologies assisting in the grueling search for survivors.

In a further twist of tragedy, a road-repair machine plunged into the swelling river, leaving its driver unaccounted for as the search for both individuals and heavy equipment continues. Amidst the ongoing struggle, forecasts predict continued heavy rains and thunderstorms across various areas of Uttarakhand until August 14, prompting heightened warnings in eight districts, including Garhwal.