A week after flash floods swept through the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, at least 66 people remain missing, according to an official statement. Authorities have so far recovered only one body, revising an earlier death toll of four.
The disaster, which struck Dharali village in Uttarkashi district on 5 August, was triggered by a mudslide and flash floods following heavy rains. Nearly half the village was submerged under water and debris, with a nearby army camp sustaining severe damage.
Rescue efforts are ongoing but have been hampered by bad weather and the blockage of a key highway due to the mudslide.
Scale of the Disaster
Officials said around 1,300 people have been rescued from areas near Dharali since last week. The swelling of the Kheerganga river sent torrents of muddy water rushing through the hilly terrain, covering roads, shops and homes in Dharali and the nearby village of Harsil.
Videos captured a massive wave crumpling buildings and leaving residents with little time to escape. Initial claims by state officials linked the incident to a cloudburst, but India’s weather department has yet to confirm the cause.
Investigations into the Cause
Vinay Shankar Pandey, a senior local official, revealed that a team of 10 geologists has been deployed to investigate the disaster. Sludge from the Kheerganga river blocked part of the Bhagirathi river which later becomes the Ganges forming an artificial lake that submerged vast tracts of land, including a government helipad.
Efforts to drain the lake are ongoing. The water level had initially receded but rose again after further rains.
Missing Persons Breakdown
Authorities said the missing include 24 Nepalese workers, 14 local residents, nine army personnel, 13 people from Bihar and six from Uttar Pradesh. However, locals believe more people are still unaccounted for.
Search and Recovery Efforts
Helicopters are being used to reach Dharali, which remains difficult to access due to debris. A temporary bridge has been constructed to improve access as road clearance work continues.
"Efforts are continuously being made to remove the debris and construct roads in Dharali to restore order,"
Mr Pandey said.Sniffer dogs and heavy machinery are being deployed to locate those still trapped. One rescue worker told the Press Trust of India that they are manually digging through debris where a hotel once stood, suspecting that people might be buried underneath.
On Monday, a road-repair machine near Kheerganga fell into the swollen river. The driver is missing, and the machine has not yet been recovered.
Weather Outlook
India’s weather department has issued a high alert for heavy rains and thunderstorms in eight districts, including Garhwal, until 14 August raising fears of further landslides and flooding.
