After several buildings were washed away in flash floods in Dharali, Uttarkashi, several soldiers have also been reported missing from the nearby army camp in Harsil valley.
Around 10 Army jawans and one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) from the army camp went missing on Tuesday evening, according to reports. Another soldier was injured at the Army camp.
A team from the camp, including the commanding officer and soldiers of the 14 Rajrif unit of the Army, had earlier reached Dharali for rescue operations to support the ITBP and NDRF teams deployed by the Centre. SDRF teams have rescued around 60 to 70 people while more personnel are en route to Dharali. Around 400 people stranded in Dharali have been evacuated to safer locations.
At least four people have been confirmed dead in the Dharali flash floods while around 25 to 30 hotels and homestays have been washed away.
Videos showed people running in pani as strong gush of water and boulders come down from higher-altitude regions.
Red alerts have been issued for several districts, including Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Rudra Prayag, Udham Singh Nagar and Uttarkashi. The worst-affected areas include Badrinath, Barahat Range, Chinyalisaur, Didihat, Janaki Chatti, Jaspur, Khatima, Kedarnath, Karnaprayag, Lohaghat, Munsyari, Pulam Sumda, Purola and Rudrapur.
The Uttarkashi district administration has listed helplines for people needing assistance. They call on 01374222126, 222722 or 9456556431 for help. Haridwar's District Emergency Operation Centre can be reached on 01374-222722, 7310913129, or 7500737269. For help from the State Emergency Operation Centre in Dehradun, citizens can dial 0135-2710334, 0135-2710335, 8218867005, or 9058441404.
