In the wake of the devastating mudslide that struck Dharali village in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, rescue efforts are underway, with a focus on locating those still missing. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology is playing a crucial role in identifying potential locations where individuals may be trapped.

Rescuers have identified approximately 20 spots at a depth of 2.5 to 3 meters in the lower areas of Dharali using Ground Penetrating Radars (GPR). These areas indicate a possibility of people being trapped under the debris. The search operation in Dharali is now in its sixth day. The area, previously a bustling hub for tourists and pilgrims, is buried under 40 to 50 feet of mud, rocks and debris. Approximately 100 people remain missing.

GPR is a geophysical method that uses radio waves to detect objects and structures below the surface. It works by sending radio waves into the ground; these waves bounce back when they encounter materials of different densities, such as human bodies, metal, or concrete. The GPR then displays an image or signal indicating what lies beneath the surface. This technology enables rescuers to detect people, vehicles, or large objects hidden under layers of mud and rock, even when immediate digging is not possible. By helping to focus rescue efforts, GPR saves valuable time and energy.

In addition to GPR, rescue teams are utilizing Victim Locating Cameras (VLCs) and Thermal Imaging Cameras to enhance their search capabilities. VLCs can extend up to six meters into narrow gaps, equipped with a camera, lights, a visual display, and a two-way communication system. This allows rescuers to see, hear, and communicate with survivors who may be buried deep within collapsed structures, reaching areas too dangerous for direct entry. Thermal Imaging Cameras detect infrared heat signatures emitted by living beings, converting them into visible images. These cameras are particularly useful for finding people in darkness or through thin layers of debris.

The National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) from Hyderabad has sent a team of experts to assist in the search. The team is using GPR to locate human presence under the debris. According to NGRI Director Dr. Prakash Kumar, the GPRs can detect human life even in the presence of mud and water and can also identify anomalies within the debris. The same methodology was used to locate people trapped in the SLBC tunnel collapse in Telangana earlier this year.

The challenging conditions in Dharali, including poor road access, rough weather, and the vast area covered by the mudslide (approximately 20 hectares), have made conventional search efforts difficult. Incessant rain has also hampered the search and rescue operations and efforts to restore road connectivity.

Financial assistance is being provided to the disaster-affected families of Dharali village, with the distribution of ₹ five lakh each having commenced. District Magistrate Prashant Arya and local MLA Suresh Chauhan visited Dharali village to distribute assistance cheques to the affected families.