"Our foremost priority is to ensure that every tourist returns home safely and their families are assured of their well-being," said Pawar. He appealed to the families of the stranded to avoid panicking.
As many as 11 injured army personnel have been airlifted to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Hospital located in Matli area of Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand, said police on Wednesday.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated a joint rescue and relief operation in response to a cloudburst-triggered flash flood in Uttarkashi's Harsil, which has left the region isolated.
In the aftermath of the massive flash floods and landslides in Uttarakhand's Dharali area, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday visited the affected region and reviewed ongoing relief and rescue efforts.
Speaking to ANI, Chief Minister Dhami reaffirmed that both the Centre and the state government are fully committed to making arrangements for the victims of the incident, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also assured to provide all possible help.
Rescue operations are in full swing, with teams from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Indian Army working tirelessly to evacuate stranded individuals and locate the missing.
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the recent cloudburst and mudslide in Uttarakhand, saying that the tragedy has left people across the country disturbed and those living in the hills gripped by fear.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami met disaster victims of Dharali at Uttarkashi PWD Guest House. CM Dhami emphasised that all possible efforts are being made to airlift people to safer locations safely.
Continuous heavy rainfall has caused the water level of the River Ganga to rise significantly at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, with water seen touching the idol of Lord Shiva at the ashram's Aarti Sthal.
Following continuous heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand, roads on the NH-34 highway between Uttarkashi and Gangotri have been damaged, according to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).