100 personnel of Ibex brigade at Harshil reach disaster site within 15 minutes
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Uttarkashi
A unit of the Indian Army deployed at Harshil was among the first responders in the Dharali disaster. The Indian Army officials claim that the army personnel reached the site of the disaster within 15 minutes and started the rescue operation.
Considering the enormity of the disaster triggered by flash flood in Kheer Ganga rivulet on Tuesday afternoon, the district administration of Uttarkashi immediately sought help from the Army unit located in nearby Harsil village.
About 100 personnel of the Ibex brigade immediately reached the affected site and started a rescue operation. The army personnel rescued more than 20 people from the rubble. Though a part of the Army camp was also damaged by the disaster, this did not deter the soldiers from taking part in the rescue operation.
The commander of the Ibex brigade, Brigadier Mandeep Dhillon said that the flash flood hit Dharali at around 1:45 PM. He said that the Indian army column deployed at Harsil was first to respond and reached the site of the disaster within 10 minutes. He said that so far 20 persons have been rescued by the Army personnel and the injured are being treated at the battalion medical unit.
The Defence PRO, Lieutenant Colonel Manish Srivastava said that the Army unit located at Harsil organised themselves within 10 minutes to start the rescue operation. He said that the senior officers of Ibex brigade are personally monitoring the rescue operation. Srivastava said that the Army is moving heavy machinery and other equipment to the disaster hit area which will speed up the relief and rescue operation.
A communique from the Army said that the extent of the damage is being ascertained. “The army stands resolute in support of our citizens during this calamity,’’ the communique further said.
