Emergency Responders in Full Force Following Flash Floods in Uttarakhand

In response to the catastrophic flash floods and a sudden cloudburst in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India, a comprehensive emergency operation has been mobilized. This collaborative effort includes the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Different army specialties like infantry, engineers, and medical units are involved, backed by advanced technology gear like helicopters, drones, and specialized rescue mission equipment.

In an effort to address the disaster in Uttarkashi, collective rescue efforts are in full swing at the severely affected Dharali village. NDRF has brought in two cadaver dogs, as well as their veterinarians to support the operation. These cadaver dogs have undergone specific training to detect the presence of individuals who sadly did not survive, and are now hidden under wreckage and mud.

The efforts of the NDRF are multifaceted and include more than just manpower. It has on this occasion brought into play its first-ever team of cadaver dogs. The mission of these dogs is crucial – they are trained to find deceased individuals under the debris and sludge, whose presence would otherwise be difficult to confirm, further complicating rescue efforts.

On the field, leading the operations is NDRF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Gambhir Singh Chauhan. According to him, a team of sniffer dogs are employed to locate survivors, alongside the cadaver dogs. The objective is to maximize rescue capabilities with both types of specially trained dogs being able to locate individuals in different situations, either survivors or the deceased.

The rescue operation doesn’t solely rely on canine resources. Machinery is also integral to the process with notable contribution from ‘our four machines,’ as mentioned by Gambhir Singh Chauhan. The Director General of Border Roads and their chief have also surveyed the disaster-stricken area.

In terms of structural damage, the devastation is extensive with an estimated 20-40 houses buried under debris, with none left standing. However, despite adverse conditions, a significant number of people have been successfully rescued. The combined efforts of BRO, ITBP, NDRF, and SDRF have managed to evacuate between 150-175 individuals.

Despite successful rescues, the difficulties faced by these forces are enormous. The extent of the loss is just starting to unravel with a confirmed total of five deaths so far. However, the final number is expected to be higher given the scale of the disaster and the number of houses buried.

Notably, Captain Gurpreet Singh from the Engineer Regiment of the Indian Army promptly arrived at the disaster site soon after the cloudburst alerts were sounded. His mission: rescue as many people as possible from the grip of the disaster. Engineering skills are proving valuable in managing the catastrophe and finding bodies entrapped under the wreckage.

The technical team, led by Captain Gurpreet Singh, has forecasted the arrival of more equipment to reinforce the current rescue efforts. Plans are in place to source machinery that can effectively detect and recover bodies trapped in the debris. Meanwhile, the team is improvising and making best use of the resources available to them on site.

The Indian Army has deployed a substantial amount of its personnel to partake in this emergency response; around 250-300 members are actively involved in the rescue operation. Their involvement alongside other organizations like the NDRF and state police underlines the collaborative nature of this large-scale mission.

Correspondingly, ITBP is also running a swift action programme. Dating back to the initial phase of the disaster, their collaborative efforts with the state police, NDRF, and the Indian Army have proven invaluable. Their initial focus was to rescue survivors from the Gangotri side.

The distressing aftermath of the flash floods continues to unveil the magnitude of the havoc. In addition to the confirmed deaths and rescues, the fate of eight inhabitants from the village is yet unclear as they are currently missing; the fear is they have been caught up in the disaster too.

The issue spans beyond just the local residents. It is feared that between 30-40 individuals from Bihar and Nepal might have been caught in the havoc and are currently unaccounted for. This new dimension adds a layer of complexity to the relief efforts.

As a concluding note, an estimated 250-300 persons, who had been trapped in Gangotri owing to the flood, are receiving rescue assistance. While the cloudburst’s aftermath has tested the resilience of survivors and emergency responders alike, collaborative efforts continue towards restoring normalcy and offering much-needed hope.