In a major breakthrough for ongoing rescue operations in flood-hit Uttarakhand, the Indian Army’s Shatrujeet Brigade has established a 440 km High Frequency (HF) radio link between Harsil and Agra, restoring vital communication to the isolated Dharali village.
Using state-of-the-art AN/PRC-160 manpack radios with 4G Automatic Link Establishment and data speeds up to 10 times faster than older systems, the Army has reconnected teams on the ground with central command. The restored link is enabling seamless coordination, faster resource deployment, and real-time updates in the challenging mountainous terrain.
The region has been reeling since August 6, when a cloudburst triggered devastating flash floods and landslides, leaving over 100 people missing and claiming at least five lives. More than 40 houses have been washed away or buried under debris, and road access to the Harsil Valley remains limited.
Around 150 personnel from the Rajputana Rifles, supported by Army engineers and standby Indian Air Force helicopters, are engaged in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is working to reopen key routes, including Uttarkashi–Dharasu–Gangotri and Joshimath–Malari, to speed up aid delivery.
Officials warn the casualty count could rise as teams reach previously inaccessible areas. The Army’s use of advanced HF radio technology has been hailed as a game-changer, ensuring beyond-line-of-sight communication even where satellite connectivity is unreliable, and providing a crucial lifeline for the people of Uttarakhand.
