Uttarakhand CM Dhami chairs high-level meeting on Uttarkashi flood relief; search ops continue in Dharali

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday chaired a high-level meeting with top officials of key rescue and security agencies to review the status of ongoing relief and rescue operations in the rain-affected Uttarkashi district.

The meeting brought together the Director Generals of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with the Director General of Police, Uttarakhand.

Sharing an update on X, CM Dhami posted, "A high-level meeting was held today with DG @ITBP_official, DG @NDRFHQ, and DGP @uttarakhandcops regarding the ongoing relief and rescue operations in Uttarkashi district. During the meeting, discussions were held on the progress of the rescue operations, ground-level challenges, and strengthening mutual coordination, with necessary directives issued."

जनपद उत्तरकाशी में चल रहे राहत एवं बचाव कार्यों को लेकर आज DG @ITBP_official, DG @NDRFHQ एवं DGP @uttarakhandcops के साथ उच्च स्तरीय बैठक की। इस दौरान रेस्क्यू अभियान की प्रगति, ज़मीनी चुनौतियों और आपसी समन्वय को और मज़बूत बनाने पर चर्चा कर आवश्यक दिशा-निर्देश दिए।

बैठक में आपदा… pic.twitter.com/bPyz5JrVuw

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) August 8, 2025

He added, "Detailed discussions were held on topics such as rapid access to disaster-affected areas, prompt rescue of stranded individuals, deployment of teams in remote areas, heli-lifting operations, and the availability of essential resources. Necessary instructions were also given regarding the swift restoration of communication, electricity, and road connectivity, as well as the smooth supply of relief materials."

Meanwhile, search and rescue efforts remain underway in Dharali town, one of the worst-affected areas in Uttarkashi district, where flash floods triggered by torrential rainfall caused severe damage to hotels and residential structures earlier this week.

Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey told ANI, "Yesterday, we evacuated nearly 382 people. Our operation is going on in three directions. We are evacuating pilgrims stranded in Gangotri, who have come from outside the state. We are restoring road connectivity. Third is clearing the debris and looking for the missing people in the worst-affected Dharali, and also the listing of the loss to public and private property."

The state continues to face widespread disruptions due to heavy monsoon rains, especially in its upper mountainous regions. Two cloudbursts on Tuesday—one in Dharali and another in the Sukhi Top area nearby—led to extensive devastation, with Dharali facing the most significant impact.