Top 10 shocking visuals from the Uttarakhand flood disaster

Relentless rains in Uttarakhand have triggered flash floods and cloudbursts, devastating several regions. Dharali village in Uttarkashi is buried in debris, with homes destroyed, five deaths reported, and hundreds still missing amid rescue efforts.

A powerful surge of muddy water swept down the hill like a storm, creating scenes of devastation that are truly shocking. Terrified by the sudden cloudburst, residents of Dharali village scattered in all directions in a desperate attempt to save their lives.

The raging waters swept away multi-storey buildings like toys. Over 25 hotels and houses in the village have been destroyed. The entire area is now covered in slush. One man, trapped in the mud, struggled hard and narrowly managed to escape.

During the cloudburst, it's feared that hundreds of people may have been trapped inside their homes. Rescue teams are actively searching for those stuck, but operations are proving extremely difficult, especially in buildings that are three-fourths submerged.

Amid the chaos, rescue operations are still underway. Additional personnel have been deployed from Harsil and Bhatwari. Meanwhile, a massive boulder has fallen onto the railway tracks between the Haridwar-Motichur section on the Haridwar-Dehradun route, further disrupting connectivity.

The presence of iron rods on the railway track helped prevent any major damage. Locals captured the moment the boulder rolled down the hill on their mobile phones. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities have been reported. Regional officials have reached the site and restoration work is now underway.

Another cloudburst occurred near Gangotri in Sukhi village yesterday evening. Though it's located close to Dharali, no casualties have been reported so far. Rescue operations are ongoing, with ITBP, NDRF, SDRF, and Rajasthan Rifles teams on the ground. A 150-member team, led by Rajasthan Rifles Commanding Officer Harshavardhan, is actively engaged in rescue and relief efforts.

In the aftermath of the Dharali flash floods, 37 villagers have been rescued and are receiving medical treatment. However, the death toll is feared to rise as rescue operations continue. Alarmingly, 11 soldiers and one JCO who went in for rescue efforts are now missing. So far, over 60 people remain unaccounted for, while around 150 individuals have been rescued. At least five deaths have been confirmed.

Rescue operations are underway with the combined efforts of SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, the Indian Army, along with two MiG and two Chinook helicopters. Advanced drones are being deployed to trace those still missing. However, access to Dharali village remains severely disrupted as connecting roads have been cut off, making it impossible for bulldozers and other heavy machinery to reach the affected site.

The Batwadi road has been completely damaged, halting all movement since last night. Located just 50 km from Dharali, the route has turned into a nightmare for commuters. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the disaster-hit areas for an on-ground assessment and also conducted an aerial survey. He has announced ₹20 crore in relief from the State Disaster Response Fund to aid recovery efforts.

Adverse weather conditions are hampering rescue operations, leading authorities to declare holidays for schools and colleges in three districts. Over 167 rescue teams are currently working on the ground. With dozens still missing due to the catastrophic cloudburst, the Kalaburagi district administration has set up a helpline. Kalaburagi DC B. Fouzya Taranum has urged citizens to provide any information about those who had travelled to Uttarakhand or are currently stranded there. Citizens can contact the District Disaster Management Room at 08472-278677 or the Police Control Room for assistance.