07 August 2025 , Dharali, Uttarakhand : The Indian Army, in close coordination with state authorities and disaster response teams, has intensified Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Dharali, near Harsil, following a severe cloudburst that cut off the region earlier this week. Lieutenant General Navin Sachdeva, Chief of Staff, Central Command, is personally monitoring the operation and coordinating helicopter missions in collaboration with Headquarters Central Air Command to ensure swift air support and logistics.
The area remains largely inaccessible due to widespread landslides and road breaches. Key routes at Bartwari, Linchigad, Gangrani, Harsil, and Dharali have been severely impacted. Restoration efforts are underway as combined civilian and military teams work around the clock to reach stranded individuals, deliver essential supplies, and restore connectivity.
Helicopter access has proven crucial. While the military helipad at Harsil and the helipad at Nelong are operational—Nelong being connected by road to Gangotri—the civil helipad at Dharali remains unusable due to a mudslide.
Over 225 Army personnel have been deployed in the region, including engineers, medical teams, and rescue specialists. A Reeco Radar team is currently positioned at Tekla, with another being inducted. Search and rescue dogs are also on the ground aiding operations.
Air support has been mobilized from multiple locations. Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters staged at Jollygrant Airport are expected to begin evacuation and induction flights today, weather permitting. Five civil helicopters from Sahastradhara are already operating in the Matli–Bhatwari–Harsil belt in coordination with the State Disaster Response Force. An ad-hoc aviation base is being established at the Matli Helipad (ITBP) to support ongoing air logistics.
So far, 70 civilians have been rescued. Three civilian deaths have been confirmed, with more than 50 individuals still missing, according to the civil administration. The Army has reported one JCO and eight jawans missing. Nine Army personnel and three civilians have been evacuated to Dehradun by helicopter, while three critically injured civilians have been transported to AIIMS Rishikesh by road. Eight others are under treatment at the District Hospital in Uttarkashi. Two bodies have been recovered during the continuing search efforts.
Senior leadership is actively involved in overseeing the relief work. The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand visited the affected region to assess the situation. The Army Commander of Central Command and the General Officer Commanding of UB Area are present on the ground. Meanwhile, approximately 180 to 200 tourists stranded at Gangotri are receiving food, shelter, and medical support from the Indian Army and ITBP.
In the next 24 to 48 hours, the Army plans to airlift additional paratroopers and medical teams to Harsil using Chinooks. NDRF personnel and medical teams will be deployed to Nelong via Mi-17 helicopters. Tourists stranded at Nelong are expected to be evacuated on return sorties. Parallel efforts are underway to reopen the road between Uttarkashi and Tekla to improve ground access and speed up relief operations.
