• Heavy rains and landslides have led to four confirmed deaths in Uttarakhand, India.
• Dozens remain missing as rescue operations face obstructed access and communication difficulties.
• Over 190 people have been rescued, with efforts involving army personnel and advanced equipment.
• Officials warn of ongoing risks linked to climate change, as the region experiences extreme weather events.

Severe flooding and landslides in Uttarakhand, India, have left four people dead and many others missing, triggering extensive rescue operations.

Rescue teams, including army and disaster forces, are grappling with heavy rain and blocked roads as they attempt to reach the affected village of Dharali, a popular pit-stop for Hindu pilgrims heading to Gangotri. Reports indicate that around 130 individuals have been rescued, although up to 50 people are still unaccounted for, including at least eight soldiers from a nearby army camp, according to Reuters and Reuters.

Rescue workers face significant challenges, as roads leading to Dharali have either collapsed or been buried under debris. The flooding was attributed to a series of intense monsoon rains, which caused a surge of muddy water from the nearby Kheer Ganga river. Officials indicated that some areas of the village are under as much as 15 meters of mud, hampering rescue efforts, as described by local administrator Prashant Arya and documented in Al Jazeera.

The Indian army has deployed additional resources, including drones and tracker dogs, to hasten the search efforts. The army’s central command confirmed that helicopters are being utilized for supply delivery and evacuation of those trapped. Meanwhile, communication has been severely affected as mobile and electricity towers were also washed away in the flooding, leading authorities to issue satellite phones to rescue teams, according to reports from Dawn.

Rescue operations continue amidst heavy rainfall, which has been classified as an “extreme event”. Experts suggest that similar intense patterns are being linked to climate change, seen as a growing concern in the region. Harjeet Singh, a climate activist, highlighted the need to address unscientific development practices as a contributing factor to the disaster, according to reports from Al Jazeera and Reuters.