Indian Army’s rescue following the Uttarakhand flash flood in Dharali village:
- On August 5, 2025, a severe cloudburst near Dharali village in Uttarakhand caused massive flash floods and landslides, devastating the area about 4 km from the Indian Army camp at Harshil.
- The sudden floodwater surge swept away 40-50 houses and damaged the army camp infrastructure. Tragically, four civilians lost their lives, and 9-11 soldiers are feared missing amid the disaster.
- The Indian Army responded immediately, deploying about 150 soldiers equipped with rescue gear and doctors within 10 minutes of the cloudburst. They worked tirelessly to evacuate civilians and provide urgent medical assistance despite heavy rains and mudslides.
- Around 20 civilians trapped by floods were rescued. The challenging terrain, ongoing rain, and disrupted communication lines made rescue operations very tough.
- Reinforcements from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) joined the army in relief efforts, conducting search and rescue operations on a war footing.
- Road and bridge damage disrupted connectivity, delaying helicopter evacuations due to adverse weather conditions.
- Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed condolences for the lives lost, assured government support, and said rescue and relief operations were ongoing with all resources deployed.
- This disaster highlights the increasing vulnerability of Himalayan regions to extreme weather events and flash floods, intensified by climate change.
- The Indian Army’s swift, coordinated, and brave response in such harsh conditions saved many lives and continues to be crucial in relief work in the region.
