Week after U'khand cloudburst, 68 still missing

A week after a cloudburst hit Dharali, a key stop on the Gangotri Dham route in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district on August 4, the government has released a list of 68 missing persons.

- NARENDRA SETHI @ Dehradun

Among them are 24 residents of Nepal. Officials said the chances of survival are almost nil.

The Uttarkashi Disaster Operations Centre's list includes 24 Nepalese labourers, nine army personnel (including one JCO), 13 residents from Dharali and nearby areas, one person from Tehri, 13 from Bihar, and six from Uttar Pradesh. Only two bodies have been recovered so far.

Rescue operations have been ongoing. The Garhwal Commissioner said 1,278 people have been evacuated to safety since the disaster. NDRF and Army teams continue to search the debris. Large hotels, guesthouses, and homestays have been buried. Heavy machinery is avoided in areas with possible life signs.