Listen To This Post

Dehradun/Uttarkashi, August 6:
A sudden cloudburst over Harsil in Uttarkashi district on Tuesday afternoon unleashed devastating flash floods and mudslides, leaving at least 10 Army personnel missing and causing extensive damage to property and infrastructure.

The incident occurred around 1:40 pm in Dharali village, a key stopover on the Gangotri pilgrimage route. Torrential rain triggered a powerful flow of debris and water through residential areas, sweeping away homes, hotels, and shops. Several structures were either destroyed or rendered unsafe, officials said.

Army Personnel Missing, Yet Leading Rescue Effort

The missing soldiers were stationed at an Army camp in the lower Harsil region. Despite the loss, Army units quickly mobilized, with the Ibex Brigade of the Army’s Surya Command launching immediate rescue operations. “Troops of the Ibex Brigade were immediately mobilised to undertake rescue operations,” an Army spokesperson said, underlining the forces’ commitment to protecting citizens even as their own personnel were unaccounted for.

Massive Multi-Agency Response

The Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed. Three ITBP teams reached the area and began clearing debris and evacuating residents. Officials said that scores of pilgrims and villagers trapped in the area were being relocated to safer zones.

State Disaster Management Authority officials said damage assessments are still under way but warned that several parts of the Gangotri route remain vulnerable to further landslides and flash floods.

Pilgrimage & Connectivity Hit

The cloudburst also disrupted movement on the Gangotri highway, with traffic halted as rescue vehicles and emergency crews cleared blocked stretches. Dharali, which serves as an important halting point for Gangotri pilgrims, is now among the worst affected zones.