Flood Rescue Operations Underway in Uttarakhand: Rivers Overflowing
Flood Rescue Operations Intensify in Dharali, Uttarakhand
A severe flood hit Dharali, a picturesque village on the way to Gangotri, Uttarakhand, on August 5, 2025. The disaster, caused by intense rainfall, resulted in debris-laden flows that swept away homes, buildings, bridges, and roads, causing significant loss of life and leaving many tourists missing.
As of August 12, 43 tourists remain missing amidst the ongoing rescue and relief operations. These operations have intensified since the flood, with the Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, and the State Disaster Management Department working tirelessly to locate the missing individuals. Satellite imagery from India’s Cartosat-2S satellites has been utilised to assess damage and guide search and rescue teams in reaching stranded individuals and restoring regional connectivity.
The flood has left a trail of destruction in its wake. Nearly 190 people have been rescued, and two bodies have been recovered. The Central Water Commission has reported that water levels in the Ganga and its tributaries in the Garhwal region, including the Banganga, Bhagirathi (at Devprayag), Alaknanda, and Mandakini, have surpassed their danger marks due to heavy rains in Uttarakhand’s higher hills.
Official warnings remain about continuing rainfall and heightened geological risks, suggesting unstable river conditions. The Alaknanda is at 627.60 m, 0.06 m above its danger level, and its flow is falling at 400.02 mm per hour. The Mandakini, infamous for the 2013 deluge, is at its danger level of 1,976.80 m with a steady flow near Gaurikund, and at 626.30 m in Rudraprayag town, 0.30 m above its danger mark. The Bhagirathi is at 464.30 m, 1.30 m above the danger mark of 463.00 m, with a steady flow. The Ganga itself stands at 294.20 m, just 0.20 m above its danger mark of 294.00 m.
The army's Ibex brigade is preparing to use ground penetrating radars and sniffer dogs for the search. In Haridwar, all major Ganga-basin rivers showed rising or steady trends. The Banganga remains in a "severe situation," with its level at 231.69 m and rising at 40.01 mm per hour.
The State Emergency Operation Centre in Dehradun requested and received assistance from the Centre, including two Chinook and two Mi-17 helicopters from the Indian Air Force, which were based in Chandigarh, Sarsawa, and Agra, into Jolly Grant Airport. An extensive rescue operation commenced Wednesday afternoon after additional NDRF, SDRF, and Army teams and their equipment were airlifted from Delhi and Dehradun to Harsil.
125 Army personnel, 83 additional ITBP troops, and BRO teams (including six officers and over 100 workers) are working to restore connectivity to the disaster-hit region. Dharali, a stopover on the way to Gangotri, where the Ganga originates, is home to several hotels and home stays, adding to the urgency of the rescue efforts.
This information is primarily based on satellite imagery analysis from ISRO, situation reports, and news summaries dated up to August 12, 2025.
- Amidst the ongoing car-accidents and weather-related disasters, the political landscape in the affected region has taken a backseat, with priorities shifting towards the general-news of rescue operations and relief efforts.
- As officials provide regular weather-forecasting updates, the local sports and sports-betting communities eagerly await the resumption of activities, eyeing a potential boost in tourism once the crisis subsides.
- In the aftermath of the devastating flood, with numerous cases of crime-and-justice involving looting and pilferage reported, law enforcers have stepped up their presence and patrols to maintain order and ensure the safety of the remaining population.
- With the flooding crisis still ongoing, affected families prray for a swift resolution to the ongoing stories of missing individuals, while also holding out hope for a brighter future where the general-news headlines will once again feature positive news like sports victories or political progress.
