Cloudburst in Uttarakhand leaves over 38 Gujarat pilgrims missing

News is coming out that numerous Gujarati pilgrims are abandoned after a hasty cloudburst in Uttarakhand.

13 Members from Patan Missing After Chardham Yatra

Panic and fear have gripped families in Gujarat as over 38 pilgrims, including 13 from Patan district, have gone missing in Uttarakhand following a devastating cloudburst in the Dharali area. The missing individuals were part of groups undertaking the Chardham Yatra, a revered pilgrimage route in the Himalayas.

The 13 missing pilgrims from the Harijna Rawal community had set out from Harij in Patan district on August 1. They boarded a train from Mehsana to Haridwar and then traveled by road toward Gangotri.

The last known contact was made by Rameshbhai Jeevanbhai Rawal’s son before the group reached Gangotri. Since a cloudburst occurred later that night, all communication with the group has ceased.

Families Plead for Immediate Government Intervention

The families of the missing pilgrims, now desperate for any information, have reported the matter to the Harij Mamlatdar office and are urging the authorities to launch an urgent search and rescue operation. It has been over 24 hours without any contact, and fears are mounting as rescue efforts continue in disaster-hit areas.

“We have not heard from them since the night of the cloudburst. We are extremely worried,” said a family member. “We urge the government to help us find our loved ones.”

Others from Banaskantha and Bhavnagar Also Stranded

In addition to the Patan group, at least 10 people from Banaskantha and 15 from Bhavnagar are also reported to be stranded in different parts of Uttarakhand due to the natural calamity. Their families are also struggling to establish communication and are anxiously awaiting news.

Relief and Rescue Operations Underway

The Uttarakhand government, along with local administration and disaster response teams, has begun relief and evacuation efforts in the affected areas. Roads are being cleared, and rescue teams are being airlifted to remote regions to locate stranded pilgrims. Gujarat state authorities are also in touch with their counterparts in Uttarakhand to assist in the coordination.

Families are holding onto hope, praying for the safe return of their loved ones as rescue operations intensify.