Rescue operations continue in full swing after the cloudburst in Uttarkashi, with the Indian Air Force deploying Chinook helicopters to evacuate stranded individuals. In two sorties, a total of 39 people were airlifted from the flood-affected area of Dharali—29 in the first trip and 10 more in the second—and brought safely to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun.
Upon arrival, all evacuees underwent medical checkups. The Dehradun Airport was prepared with buses from the Indian Army, NDRF, and Uttarakhand Government to help transport the rescued people further to their destinations.
In a major communication boost, a VSAT system has also been installed in Matli to restore internet services in the area, making coordination of relief operations smoother.
Meanwhile, road restoration efforts are underway. Director General of Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Lt. Gen. Raghu Srinivasan, said that there are four major landslide points and a collapsed bridge on the 96-kilometre route between Harsil and Uttarkashi. Despite these obstacles, BRO teams and machinery have been actively working, and road connectivity is expected to be restored within the next few hours.
Bridge reconstruction is likely to begin as soon as the route is accessible, with full connectivity to Harsil expected within three days. The submerged road between Harsil and Dharali may either be restored or replaced with a new alignment.
