Due to incessant rainfall and flash floods, disaster struck villagers of Bastari, Urma, Singhali and Patharkot of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand on Friday. Six Army columns, each comprising of 3 Officers, 5 Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and 67 Other Ranks (ORs) were activated on short notice. One column was moved to Bastari, the worst affected area on requisition by the District Administration and remaining five columns have been kept on standby to move at short notice. The Army unit was itself severely affected by flash floods, however, it mobilised on short notice.
On reaching the site as the first responder, the columns quickly carried out rescue operations and managed to rescue six civilians from under the debris. The injured were evacuated to Pithoragarh with assistance of civil administration. The columns continued to operate till late at night to look for survivors. So far, a total of ten dead bodies have been recovered by the Army personnel. The search commenced again early morning on saturday.