The Uttarakhand government on Friday announced that mobile network services have been restored in Harsil Valley, Uttarkashi district, following sustained efforts by the administration.
“Mobile network has been restored in Harsil Valley due to the tireless efforts of the state government on the instructions of the Chief Minister,” the Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement.
Meanwhile, road clearance work is being carried out on a war footing near Bhanrepani along the Badrinath National Highway. The route had been blocked following landslides triggered by heavy rainfall a day earlier.
In an update on X, Chamoli Police stated, “The road is blocked since yesterday due to a landslide near Bhanrepani on Badrinath National Highway. The work of opening the road by machines is going on at war footing.”
As part of ongoing rescue efforts, the Uttarakhand government confirmed that 566 people have been evacuated from Dharali and Harsil in the Uttarkashi district till noon. Efforts to evacuate nearly 300 more stranded individuals are currently underway.
The Indian Army is conducting intensive search and rescue operations using dog squads, drones, and ground-penetrating radar to locate any missing persons and assist those affected.
Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth visited Uttarkashi to personally oversee the ongoing operations. After landing at the Matli helipad and meeting the Chief Minister, he proceeded to Harsil, where he inspected the disaster-hit sites and reviewed the rescue efforts.
At Matli, the DGP also convened a meeting with police officers, issuing directives to intensify the pace of relief and rescue work.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials from key rescue and security agencies to assess the situation and coordinate the ongoing response in the rain-affected region.
-ANI