A pre-dawn flash flood at a resort construction site in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, has left at least two dead and seven missing. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday at Silai Bend along the Barkot-Yamunotri highway, when a cloudburst triggered intense rainfall and a subsequent flash flood. The deluge swept through the construction site, where 29 workers were residing in temporary shelters.

Twenty workers managed to escape the disaster, but nine were initially unaccounted for. Rescue teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police, were immediately deployed to the site to conduct search and rescue operations. However, the operations were hampered by difficult terrain, inclement weather, and damaged road connectivity. Landslides at two locations and a road washout near the affected area further complicated rescue efforts.

As of Monday, rescue teams have recovered the bodies of two laborers. The deceased have been identified as Duje Lal, 55, from Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, and Kewal Bisht, 43, from Bardia, Nepal. The search continues for the seven missing workers, who are feared to have been swept away by the floodwaters. The missing individuals are Roshan Chaudhary, 37, Anvir Dhami, 40, Kalluram Choudhary, 60, Jaichand, 38, Chhotu, 22, Priyansh, 20, and Kateel Dhami, 32.

Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya stated that the cloudburst was triggered by intense rainfall in the region, leading to the flash flood and disruption of road connectivity. He also mentioned that the affected area was not previously classified as landslide-prone. Arya confirmed that teams from NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, local police, and administration are working together to locate the missing and clear the damaged road sections.

The impact of the flash flood extended beyond the construction site, damaging the Yamunotri highway at three locations, including a 10-30 meter stretch near the camp. The Char Dham Yatra, a significant pilgrimage in the region, was temporarily suspended for 24 hours following the incident. Authorities reported that landslides and flash floods blocked over 70 roads across the state.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Uttarakhand, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, at several isolated locations. This has further heightened concerns and is impacting the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.

One survivor, Hari Krishna Choudhary, a mason from Nepal, recounted the horrifying experience, stating that a mere five-second delay in escaping the shelter would have cost him his life. He described the heavy rainfall, the roaring river, and the frantic moments before the shelter was hit by a massive surge of water and debris. Pravind Rana, a supervisor at the construction site, mentioned that the villagers were terrified by the unprecedented downpour and the sound of water rushing down the hillsides.