Dog Squads Race Against Time in Uttarkashi’s Dharali and Harsil to Rescue Survivors from Debris

Rescue operations are in full swing in the disaster-struck regions of Dharali and Harsil in Uttarkashi, with a special focus on locating survivors trapped beneath debris after recent natural calamities. News18’s on-ground team has been broadcasting the relentless search efforts led by the Indian Army and rescue agencies.

A distinguishing feature of this operation is the deployment of highly-trained K9 dog squads. These rescue dogs—led by the Army’s K9 unit—have been tirelessly searching for lives amid the rubble. The K9 squad includes two Labradors, Jency and Hazel, who were the first to reach ground zero from the RBC Centre in Meerut with their handlers, immediately after the disaster struck.

Both Jency and Hazel, just two years old, have undergone nine months of specialized training. In addition to these two, the mission now involves a total of ten trained search dogs, including Sara, Popana, June, and Rahi. Each dog is capable of sniffing out human scent buried as deep as seven feet beneath the debris—a place where no machine can reach. Their ability to scan up to five acres in just one hour is equivalent to the work of about twenty rescue personnel.

Thanks to their keen senses, these dogs have already helped find several survivors and recover bodies. The Army’s dogs are internationally reputed for their performance during avalanches and other critical situations, often locating soldiers buried under snow.

The Army’s canine force includes more than 600 dogs across over 25 units, comprising foreign breeds like Labradors, German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and select indigenous breeds. Each dog receives 36 weeks of rigorous training at the Remount Veterinary Corps Centre in Meerut before being deployed for a service span of seven to eight years.

In Harsil and Dharali, these skilled canines are boosting rescue operations. Advanced training allows the dogs to work effectively in disaster zones, and their use of unique techniques, including advanced sniffing abilities enhanced by their trainers, is vital for rapid detection. The presence of these remarkable dog squads provides a much-needed ray of hope for finding those still trapped and reuniting families torn apart by disaster.

The combined efforts of the army, SDRF, NDRF, and these remarkable dogs continue, offering the best chance for saving lives in Uttarkashi’s hour of need.