Uttarkashi, Aug 11 (NationPress) Six days following a catastrophic mudslide that impacted an Indian Army camp in Harsil due to a cloudburst in Dharali, there is still no indication of the nine soldiers who vanished while conducting search and rescue missions.

The Indian Army has confirmed that the missing personnel consist of one Junior Commissioned Officer and one Non-Commissioned Officer.

In a statement on X, the Surya Command of the Indian Army mentioned, "One Junior Commissioned Officer, one Non-Commissioned Officer, and seven soldiers of the Indian Army were engaged in Search & Rescue for victims of the flash flood at Dharali on 05 Aug 2025 when they were struck by a second mudslide and are still presumed missing."

This tragic incident took place on August 5, when a cloudburst in Uttarkashi's Dharali area triggered a flash flood that devastated an entire village, leaving numerous individuals unaccounted for. The disaster unfolded just 4 kilometers away from the Army camp in Harsil.

The Indian Army, acting promptly as the first responder, dispatched 150 personnel to the disaster site within a mere 10 minutes to commence rescue and relief operations. Unfortunately, a subsequent mudslide struck the Harsil camp shortly thereafter, engulfing the area along with the nine soldiers.

The Army has expressed hope for their safe return, stating, "They ventured forth to save lives with remarkable courage and unwavering dedication to duty. We pray earnestly for their safe return to their families, comrades, and the nation they serve."

Despite the ongoing search for their missing personnel, the Army has remained heavily involved in relief efforts in the affected region. A total of 1,273 stranded individuals have been airlifted from Dharali to safer locations.

The Indian Air Force and Army aviation units have utilized Chinook, MI-17, and ALH helicopters for evacuation missions and to deliver essential relief supplies, such as food, medical kits, fuel, solar lights, blankets, and hygiene products, to remote and impacted communities.

By August 8, electricity and telecom services were restored, and emergency wireless communication systems were established in inaccessible areas. Road clearance and the construction of a Bailey bridge at Limchagad were prioritized to re-establish vital connectivity.

The Indian Army's Bengal Engineers Group (BEG), alongside the police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), tirelessly worked under challenging conditions and heavy rainfall to complete the Bailey bridge.

Search, medical, and communication teams also joined the mission, successfully finishing the 90-foot Bailey bridge by 5 P.M. on Sunday.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Army engineers constructed the bridge, which is located on the Gangotri National Highway, spanning the Limchagad between Gangnani and Dharali.

With a load capacity of nearly 50 tonnes, this bridge has significantly aided ongoing relief and rescue operations in the challenging Himalayan landscape.