Uttarakhand cloudburst: Army gets radars to search for missing, including 9 of its own

DEHRADUN: Indian Army is set to intensify search operations to trace nine of its personnel-including one JCO-from its Harsil camp along with civilians missing in Dharali village following the devastating flash flood of Tuesday. Army officials said Para (Special Forces) and medics were airlifted to Harsil to bolster ongoing rescue efforts. The decision was taken after General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Command Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta and General Officer Commanding of Uttarakhand Sub-Area Maj Gen MPS Gill arrived in Harsil to oversee efforts firsthand. Chief of Staff, Army Central Command, Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva said a total of 225 personnel, including specialised engineers and medical teams, were pressed for search and rescue operation. "On Thursday, Para (Special Force) troops from Agra were airlifted in AN32 and C295 aircraft of the Indian Air Force to assist in the rescue operation. The Army has also deployed rescue dogs and drones along with ground penetrating radars," said Sachdeva. He added that due to connectivity issues in the affected areas, logistic drones are being used to airdrop rations to civilians and stranded tourists. "We have set up four fully functional joint control rooms in Dehradun, Joshimath, Harsil and Dharali, with satellite-based internet terminals and phones, to ensure communication lines in the area," Sachdeva said. Porter Gopal Raj, who was assisting Army personnel at Harsil camp and is now undergoing treatment in Uttarkashi district hospital after being rescued, said, "Following information about disaster on Tuesday, some troops left for Dharali and more were about to leave. I was helping them when suddenly a mudslide hit us." He added: "Around 20 of us were swept away for several metres. I was among those. Army personnel standing near the river with ropes rescued me."