9 Soldiers Feared Missing After Flash Floods Strike Army Camp in Uttarakhand’s Harshil
A cloudburst near the Harshil Army camp in Uttarakhand triggered flash floods and a mudslide, leaving 9 Army jawans feared missing.
At least nine personnel of the Indian Army are feared missing after a cloudburst led to severe flash floods and a mudslide near the Harshil Army camp in Dharali village, Uttarakhand. The cloudburst occurred in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga River, around 4 km away from the Indian Army base at Harshil, prompting a massive rescue operation under challenging weather conditions.
The Army confirmed that 150 jawans, led by Colonel Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of the 14 RAJRIF battalion, have been deployed on the ground to carry out search and rescue operations.
“In light of the destructive mudslide at Kheer Gad, Dharali, Col Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 RAJRIF, is personally leading 150 personnel in vital rescue and relief efforts,” the Army mentioned in a statement. Despite being cut off and the base camp being severely impacted, the team remains operational. So far, 20 civilians have been rescued, and efforts are ongoing amid heavy rainfall and broken connectivity.
“Their determination under such difficult conditions highlights the real ethos of the Indian Army – committed, courageous, and ever prepared to serve the nation. Additional columns are being moved in to support the ongoing rescue efforts,” the statement further noted.
Harshil Camp Affected, 9 Still Feared Missing
The Army stated that 9 soldiers continue to be missing, but personnel are making every effort to trace them despite the rough terrain and continuous downpour that is affecting movement. Dharali, known as a common stop along the Char Dham yatra route, witnessed a sudden surge in water levels after the cloudburst. Multiple structures have sustained damage and the region remains largely cut off.
Uttarakhand CM, Authorities Respond
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the incident as “deeply distressing” and informed that teams from the SDRF, NDRF, and the district administration are conducting rescue operations on a war footing.
