Equipped with Ground Penetrating Radars, experts from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) launched a search operation to trace the 66 people, including 24 Nepali labourers, reported missing since raging waters and mudslides buried virtually half of Dharali village in Uttarkashi a week ago.
Uttarkashi flash floods: Rescue efforts at Dharali continue, heavy rain forecast
The team of experts, which reached the flood-ravaged site on Monday (August 11) evening, will identify and focus on places where there may be human presence under the debris, they said.
Uttarkashi Flash Floods: Rescue Ops Intensify in Dharali
Rescue operations have intensified in Uttarkashi’s Dharali village after devastating flash floods buried large parts of the area. NDRF and Indian Army teams, equipped with dogs and high-tech gear, are working round the clock to find missing people. Relief materials are being distributed, and a vital Bailey bridge is nearing completion to restore access. Fuel and LPG supplies are being arranged, while rains hamper helicopter evacuations.
| Video Credit:
The Hindu
Ground Penetrating Radars (GPRs) is a geophysical method that uses radio waves to detect objects and structures below the surface.
The NGRI had used its GPRs to locate people trapped in the SLBC tunnel collapse in Telangana in February this year.
Uttarkashi flash floods: Anxious families wait for updates from Dharali as rescue efforts continue
These radars of NGRI can detect human life even in the presence of mud and water, the officials said, adding that the GPR surveys will also detect anomalies within the debris.
Four choppers deployed to evacuate those still stuck in disaster-hit Uttarkashi
Four choppers deployed to evacuate those still stuck in disaster-hit Uttarkashi
| Video Credit:
The Hindu
On Monday (August 11), incessant rain in various parts of Uttarakhand, including Uttarkashi, had hampered the search and rescue operations in Dharali village as well as efforts to restore road connectivity to the flood-hit areas of the district.
According to officials, 24 Nepali labourers and 42 others are reported missing since the tragedy struck the village on August 5.
The bridge connecting Uttarkashi to Harsil has been reconstructed, facilitating the easy movement of machinery and relief material in the aftermath of the flash floods, in Uttarkashi on August 11, 2025. (Videograb)
| Photo Credit:
ANI
The JCB operator engaged in restoring road connectivity to the affected area went missing after it fell into the surging waters of the Bhagirathi river. A search is underway to locate him, the officials said.
Dehradun was also lashed by heavy rain on Monday (August 11), resulting in waterlogging at various areas.
Uttarkashi flood: 190 rescued, two bodies recovered, dozens remain missing from the site
More than 1,300 people have been evacuated since the start of air rescue operations after the disaster. Foodgrains, edible items and essentials like clothes, gumboots and sleeping bags etc. have been provided to the affected people in adequate quantity, they said.
A view of the site in Dharali where a house is fully submerged after the cloudburst and subsequent mudslide, in Uttarkashi on August 11, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
ANI
Forty-three people were reported missing in the disaster, out of which the body of Akash Panwar, a youth from Dharali village, was recovered a few days back, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey had said on Monday (August 11).
Uttarkashi flash floods: Can we prevent the next tragedy? | In Focus podcast
The ex-gratia announced by the State Government as immediate relief has also been provided to the family of the deceased youth, he said.
The 42 who still remain missing include nine army personnel, eight residents of Dharali village, five from nearby areas, one person from Tehri district, 13 from Bihar and six from Uttar Pradesh.
District Magistrate Prashant Arya, with others distributes relief funds after recent flash floods, at Dharali, in Uttarkashi on August 11, 2025.
Apart from these, 29 Nepali labourers were also reported missing initially, out of which five have been contacted after the restoration of mobile network in the area, he said.
More details about the remaining 24 labourers like their mobile numbers and places where they hailed from have been sought from their contractors, he said.
Distribution of an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh each as immediate relief among the affected people is going on, he said, adding that a larger package of relief and rehabilitation is being prepared for them.
The State Government, quoting the Meteorological Department, said that the weather will remain bad for the next few days with heavy rain predicted in the state on August 13, 14 and 15.
Uttarakhand HC deploys dedicated team
Uttarakhand Civil Judge, Sachin Kumar, speaking on the recent devastating Uttarkashi floods, said that the High Court will deploy a dedicated team of doctors and others to visit the site and prepare a report.
An aerial view of the aftermath of a cloudburst in Dharali and Harsil, in Uttarkashi on August 11, 2025. (Videograb)
| Photo Credit:
ANI
“The Supreme Court has a department called NALSA for helping victims of such disasters. On the directions of the Nainital High Court, our District Legal Services Authority has been instructed to deploy our dedicated team, which includes doctors, NDRF, SDRF personnel, advocates, and physicians,” said Justice Kumar.
“They will visit the site and prepare a report on the facilities the victims are currently receiving, including whether they are getting enough food and addressing their other basic needs. We will compile this report and send it to the High Court. This will undoubtedly benefit the victims. We will also try to implement schemes that will assist them in their compensation and rehabilitation,” Justice Kumar added further.
Air rescue operations continue
Helicopters grounded at ITBP’s Matli helipad after incessant rains hampered rescue operations in disaster-hit Dharali and Harsil, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand on August 11, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
Authorities continued air operations for the seventh consecutive day on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) to rescue the stranded people in the areas of Dharali and Harsil in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
People trapped in the Dharali-Harsil disaster are being rescued through helicopters and brought to Matli helipad, from where arrangements have also been made to ensure their safe arrival at their destination, said officials.
SDRF personnel at the temporary lake formed in the Harsil Valley due to cloud burst, in Uttarkashi on August 11, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
ANI
Meanwhile, efforts are being made continuously by the teams of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam and Irrigation Department to open the lake formed on the Bhagirathi river near the Harshil helipad in Uttarkashi district in a controlled manner, said an official release.
District Magistrate Prashant Arya has been in Dharali Harshil since August 5, continuously directing all arrangements to provide all possible help to the disaster victims.
The official release has stated that the District Magistrate is conducting continuous inspections of the area where the lake on the Bhagirathi river at the Harshil helipad is being manually opened.
About 1,278 people have been rescued in operations in Dharali, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said on Monday (August 11).
An aerial view of the aftermath of a cloudburst in Dharali and Harsil, in Uttarkashi on August 11, 2025. (Videograb)
| Photo Credit:
ANI
Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey told ANI, “Following a disaster in Dharali, about 1,278 people, including those from other states, stranded at Gangotri Dham, were evacuated. The operation is now complete. Electricity and mobile networks have been restored.”
‘Valley Bridge, road connectivity restored’
He added that the Valley Bridge and road connectivity have been restored, and the district officials are monitoring the distribution of ₹5 lakh assistance announced by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Police personnel stand near a Bailey bridge along the Gangotri National Highway after its completion at a disaster-hit area in the aftermath of the recent flash floods, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand on August 11, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
“The Valley Bridge has been restored, and road connectivity should be fully restored by evening. Essential supplies like food, warm clothing, and daily items have arrived for distribution. District officials monitor the situation as the distribution of Rs 5 lakh assistance, announced by the CM, begins,” he said.
The Commissioner added, “A three-member committee appointed by the CM has arrived to assess relief and rehabilitation packages. They will submit an initial report in a week and a final report within a month.”
