566 evacuated in Uttarkashi, rescue efforts ongoing for 300 more: Government

The Uttarakhand government announced on Friday that 566 people have been successfully evacuated from the disaster-hit areas of Dharali and Harsil in Uttarkashi district. With rescue operations now in their third day, efforts are ongoing to locate and evacuate nearly 300 more individuals who are still stranded. The flash floods and mudslides, triggered by a cloudburst on Tuesday, have caused widespread devastation, prompting a massive response from multiple agencies.

The Indian Army has deployed advanced technology in its search and rescue operations, including dog squads, drones, and ground-penetrating radar. Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth visited the region to oversee the measures and held a meeting with police officers in Matli to accelerate the relief work. His visit followed a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to review the progress of the operations. The coordinated efforts are focused on locating the missing, who are feared to be over 50, including several army personnel.

The disaster has severely impacted the region's infrastructure, with the Gangotri National Highway blocked due to a collapsed bridge. While a makeshift Valley Bridge is being constructed to restore connectivity, significant restoration efforts are also underway to reopen roads in Harsil and Dharali. The government's immediate focus is to ensure the safety of all stranded people and restore vital links to the remote areas that have been cut off since the flash floods.