Operation Surya Hope: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}

{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}

'''Operation Surya Hope''' was the [[Indian Army]]’s [[Central Command (India)|Central Command]] response to the June [[2013 North India floods]] in [[Uttarakhand]].<ref name="Operation Surya Hope, 19 June 13, website">{{cite web|title=Armed Forces Mount Massive Relief Operations in Uttarakhand and Himachal|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx|publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdate=27 June 2013|author=Ministry of Defence|date=19 June 2013}}</ref>  The Uttarakhand flood was caused by record off-season [[monsoon]] rains, [[cloud burst]], [[floods]], [[flash floods]], and [[glacial lake outburst flood]]s (GLOFs), which were possibly induced by [[climate change]].<ref name="Bidwai, 30 june">{{cite web|last=Bidwai|first=Praful|title=India Floods: a Man-made Disaster|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jun/28/india-floods-man-made-disaster.|work=The Guardian|accessdate=2 July 2013|date=30 June 2013}}</ref> The humanitarian disaster affected millions,  stranded over 100,000 [[pilgrim]]s and tourists in [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] religious sites, and killed several thousand people.<ref>{{cite web|last=Peer|first=Basharat|title=India Flood Rescue Hindered by Rain and Landslides.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/25/world/asia/india-flood-rescue-hindered-by-rain-and-landslides.html.|work=The New York Times|accessdate=1 July 2013|date=June 24, 2013}}</ref><ref name="NYtimes, 25 june">{{cite web|last=Kumar|first=Hari|title=Copter Crash Kills 19 as Flood Rescue Efforts Strain Indian Air Force.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/world/asia/crash-of-helicopter-kills-19-as-flood-evacuation-efforts-strain-the-indian-air-force.html?_r=0|work=The New York Times|accessdate=1 July 2013|date=25 June 2013}}</ref>

The [[Indian Army]]'s Lucknow based [[Central Command (India)|Central Command]] conducted the operation. '''[[Surya]]''' or Sun, is the emblem of the Central Command and features prominently on the Command's [[:File:IA Central Command.jpg|formation sign]] and flag, which is probably why Central Command chose to name the effort Operation Surya Hope.<ref name="Operation Surya Hope, 19 June 13, website"/><ref name="Press Trust of India , 19 june">{{cite web|title=Uttarakhand rescue operations are among army's largest ever|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/uttarakhand-rescue-operations-are-among-army-s-largest-ever-381782|publisher=NDTV|author=Press Trust of India|date=19 June 2013}}</ref>

Operation Surya Hope was the follow-up to Operation Ganga Prahar.<ref name="ganga prahar, pioneer">{{cite web|title=Operation Ganga Prahar -Army Aids Flood Affected|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/lucknow/operation-ganga-prahar--army-aids-flood-affected.html|publisher=Pioneer News Service|accessdate=2 July 2013|author=Pioneer News Service|date=19 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="CC, Ganga Prahar">{{cite web|title=PRESS RELEASE : OPERATION GANGA PRAHAR ARMY AIDS FLOOD AFFECTED|url=http://suryahopes.in/press_release_page.asp|publisher=Central Command|accessdate=5 July 2013|author=Central Command|date=19 June 2013}}</ref> The operation was commanded by Lieutenant General Anil Chait, the [[General Officer Commanding-in-Chief|General Officer Commanding in Chief]] (GOC in C) of Central Command.<ref name="Operation Surya Hope, 19 June 13, website" /><ref name="phase 2">{{cite web|title=Second Phase of Operation Surya Hope to Start Today|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7cJVC637wofeature=youtube_gdata_player.|publisher=itvnewsindia|accessdate=1 July 2013|author=India News|language=Hindi|date=22 June 2013}}</ref>  He was succeeded by Lieutenant General Rajan Bakhshi on 1 July 2013. Soon after assuming command, Bakhshi said that the Army would continue with the relief operations, and that he would soon visit Uttarakhand.<ref name="TOI, 27 June">{{cite web|title=Army commander accompanies 500 people on foot from Badrinath|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Army-commander-accompanies-500-people-on-foot-from-Badrinath/articleshow/20799151.cms|publisher=Times of india|accessdate=2 July 2013|author=Ashish Tripathi|date=27 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="TOI, 30 june">{{cite web|title=Lieutenant General Bakhi is Central Command's new GOC-in-C|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-30/lucknow/40285948_1_strike-corps-goc-in-c-defence-services-staff-college|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707064801/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-30/lucknow/40285948_1_strike-corps-goc-in-c-defence-services-staff-college|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2013|accessdate=2 July 2013|author=Arunav Sinha|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=30 June 2013}}</ref> Over 10,000 troops participated in Operation Surya Hope. It was conducted in arrangement with efforts from the [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) ([[Operation Rahat]]),  [[Border Road Organization]], [[National Disaster Response Force]] (NDRF), [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police]] (ITBP) and other para military forces under the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home]].<ref name="'OP RAHAT' website">{{cite web|last=Ministry of Defence|title=IAF Continues 'OP RAHAT'|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx|work=Ministry of Defence|publisher=Press Information Bureau|accessdate=27 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="MHA, 20 june">{{cite web|title=22 Helicopters deployed in Uttrakhand for Relief Work Over 22,000 persons rescued 13 teams of NDRF assisting in search & rescue|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx|publisher=Press Information Bureau|accessdate=28 June 2013|author=MHA|date=20 June 2013}}</ref>

The floods and landslides in Uttarakhand was considered by many as the worst natural disaster in the area in a hundred years. The [[Government of India]] classifies the disaster as a [[tsunami]].<ref name="Video, flood,  India news">{{cite web|title=Flood Hits Uttarakhand, 2013|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33QXliZZi-E|publisher=itvnewsindia|accessdate=2 July 2013|author=India News|language=Hindi|date=June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/india/himalaya-tsunami-creates-havoc-north-india-death-toll-crosses-1000|title = Himalaya Tsunami creates havoc in North India, death toll crosses 1,000 - India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=25 SHOCKING Pictures of Devastation Caused by Himalayan Tsunami in Uttarakhand|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYlNC55PXTE.|publisher=CNN IBN Live|accessdate=1 July 2013}}</ref>  [[India Meteorological Department|India Meteorological Department (IMD)]] states that the total rainfall in Uttarakhand from 1 to 18 June 2013 totaled to 385.1&nbsp;mm, the highest in the last 80 years. The normal rainfall during the period is 71.3&nbsp;mm, making the total 440% larger than the normal.<ref name="MHA, 20 june" /><ref name="BBC, 2 July 13">{{cite web|title=India floods: Last stranded pilgrims rescued in Uttarakhand|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-23145924|publisher=BBC|accessdate=3 July 2013|date=2 July 2013}}</ref>

Out of all the agencies above, only the India Meteorological Department warned of the tsunami that struck Uttarakhand in June 2013.  The Central Water Commission, under the Union Ministry of Water Resources, made its first flood forecast for the year for Uttarakhand after the event on 18 June which impacted Rishikesh and Haridwar.<ref name="Rediff, 27 june">{{cite web|title=Forecasters played poker while Uttarakhand drowned|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-column-forecasters-played-poker-while-uttarakhand-drowned/20130627.htm|work=Rediff.com|accessdate=18 July 2013|date=27 June 2013}}</ref> The IMD's warnings had little effect, and few moved to safer places. Both the state and central government ignored the early warning. The State Government didn't issue any form of advisory to the residents or the pilgrims in the affected areas. Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar also dismissed the IMD advisory.<ref name="Rediff, 27 june"/><ref name="Purie , 28 june">{{cite web|title=India Today Editor-in-Chief Aroon Puri on Uttarakhand floods|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-editor-in-chief-aroon-purie-on-uttarakhand-floods/1/285817.html|accessdate=6 July 2013|author=Aroon Purie|date=28 June 2013}}</ref>

The area of responsibility for the humanitarian assistance mission included the heavily [[flood]] affected areas of [[Uttarakhand]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], and [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The mission boundary in the north runs along the India-Tibet border,  in the east it runs along the India [[Nepal]] border, and in the west it goes up to the western boundary of the [[Garhwal Division]]. The areas covered by the mission included [[Uttarkashi]],  [[Chamoli]], [[Rudraprayag]]  [[Badrinath]], [[Hemkund]] [[Joshimath]], [[Harsil]], Gauchar, [[Kedarnath]]  Kedarghati,  Rajakhet, Koti Tehri, Gauri Kund, in the [[Garhwal division|Garhwal Division]], [[Dharchula]], the [[Pithoragarh district]], and the [[Kumaon division|Kumaon Division]].<ref name="cc, 20 june">{{cite web|title=PRESS RELEASE ARMY LAUNCHES OPERATION SURYA HOPE|url=http://suryahopes.in/press_release_page.asp|publisher=Central Command|date=20 June 2013}}</ref>

By 23 June, the total number of aircraft involved in the evacuation, relief, rescue, and search tasks, according to government sources, was 83 (IAF-45, Army-13, state government hired civil helicopters- 25).<ref name="TOI, 27 June"/>  The helicopters carried out their mission in hazardous mountain conditions, often in rain and fog, in what one pilot called a "war like situation". On 24 June,  [[Air Chief Marshal]] [[Norman Anil Kumar Browne]], the Chief of the Indian Air-force, to assure the people cut off in the mountains,  by the bad weather, road blocks, and the floods, said "Our helicopter rotors will not stop churning till such time we get each one of you out. Do not lose hope, and hang in there."<ref name="NYtimes, 25 june" /> The next day, 25 June, to high light the hazardous conditions of flying,  an IAF Mi 17, Russian built helicopter, flying in poor visibility, in a narrow valley, crashed into the mountain side killing all 20 on board (5 IAF, 6 ITBP, and 9 NDRF personnel).<ref name="WP, 25 june">{{cite web|title=20 bodies recovered after helicopter on mission to rescue India flood survivors crashes|url=https://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-06-25/world/40186307_1_monsoon-floods-rescue-efforts-chief-minister-vijay-bahuguna|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130707002427/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-06-25/world/40186307_1_monsoon-floods-rescue-efforts-chief-minister-vijay-bahuguna|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2013|work=Washington Post|accessdate=2 July 2013|agency=Associated Press|date=25 June 2013}}</ref> The [[Indian Navy]], too, had a small presence in the mission area.  The Navy's marine commandos (Marcos), were deployed to [[Rudraprayag]], and  [[Rishikesh]], for rescue and search missions. It is not known what task, if any, was performed by this group.<ref name="TOI, navy commandoes">{{cite web|title=Uttarakhand: Navy deploys marine commandos, deep-sea divers|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-25/india/40184858_1_marine-commandos-divers-indian-navy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029183835/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-25/india/40184858_1_marine-commandos-divers-indian-navy|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2013|accessdate=28 June 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=25 June 2013}}</ref>

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed 13 teams (a total of 422 persons) from two NDRF battalions in six locations, as follows: five teams (174 personnel) in Rudraprayag District, three teams (89 personnel) in the Haridwar area, one team (33 personnel) in Guptkashi, one team (29 personnel) in Lakshar, one team (40 personnel) in Gaurikund, one team (45 personnel) in Dehradun, and one team (12 personnel) at Jolly Grant Airport. The NDRF mission was to assist the "State Government for search and rescue operations".<ref name="MHA, 20 june" /> The strength of [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police]] (ITBP) in the affected area as on 20 June 13 was 600 personnel: 300 from the Ist ITBP Battalion in the Joshimath area, and 300 from the 8th ITBP Battalion  in [[Kedarnath]], [[Gaurikund]], and [[Gaucher]].<ref name="PMO, 19 june">{{cite web|title=PM announces 1000 crore rupee disaster relief for Uttarakhand|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx|publisher=PBI|accessdate=29 June 2013|author=Prime Minister's Office|date=19 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="ITBP, 25 june">{{cite web|title=Rescue and Relief Operations by ITBP in Uttarakhand|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=96763|publisher=PIB|accessdate=1 July 2013|author=Ministry of Home Affairs|date=25 June 2013}}</ref>

For relief and rescue operations, the Army divided the affected areas into four axes, or sub sectors: [1] [[Rishikesh]] – [[Uttarkashi]] – [[Harsil]] – [[Gangotri]] axis [2] [[Rudraprayag]] – [[Kedarnath]] axis [3] [[Joshimath]] – [[Badrinath]] axis and Dharchhula – Tawaghat axis, and [4] [[Pithoragarh district|Pithoragarh]] district, in  [[Kumaon division]].<ref name="MOD, 20 june">{{cite web|title=Army Reaches Isolated People|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx|publisher=Press Information Bureau|accessdate=27 June 2013|author=Ministry of Defence|date=20 June 2013}}</ref> The Army's response plan consisted of three broad phases. Phase One, 19–20 June; Phase Two, 21–22 June; and Phase Three, 23 June onwards.<ref name="Operation Surya Hope, 19 June 13, website" />

On 19–20 June,  the Army conducted reconnaissance  and carried out air evacuation of people stranded along [[Govindghat]]-[[Badrinath]] road, track from Ghagriya to [[Hemkund]] to Badrinath and Ghagriya.<ref name="Operation Surya Hope, 19 June 13, website" /> By evening 19 June,  the Army had evacuated 1,610 civilians in Uttarkashi district, 3,034 in Joshimath sector, and 1,550 people from [[Govindghat]]. Shelter, food and medical aid had been provided to 1,300 people in the Uttarkashi area and 1,276 in Joshmith, while medical teams had treated 300 people in Joshimath, 150 in [[Harsil]], and 70 in Rudraprag.<ref name="Operation Surya Hope, 19 June 13, website" /> By evening on 20 June the Army reported that it had "rescued more than 11000 people, mainly from Govindghat and [[Harsil]]",  and was sheltering, feeding, and providing medical assistance to about 10,000. On 20 June the army opened the road up to Uttarkashi, and to Sonprayag on Kedarnath axis. On the same day it launched a bridge across Vasuki Ganga between Mundkatiya and Sonprayag,  and started work on the repair of the bridge over [[Alaknanda]] between Govindghat and Ghagria on Hemkund Sahib track.<ref name="MOD, 20 june"/> On 20 June, the army,  started work on the maintenance and improvement, and expansion of [[helipad]] at Gagaria on Hemkund Sahib axis to make it ready to accommodate the larger MI-17 helicopter to allow for speedier aerial evacuation.<ref name="Operation Surya Hope, 19 June 13, website" /><ref name="MOD, 20 june"/> Following aerial reconnaissance on 19 June, the army on 21 June dropped Paratroopers in Rudraprayag-Kedarnath, Jungle Chatti, and other in accessible areas to establish contact with to stranded pilgrims and commence relief and evacuation operations.  Simultaneously, it establishes  "heli-bridge-air shuttle service between Jungle Chatti and Gaurikund".<ref name="GOM, 21 june">{{cite web|title=RESCUE AND RELIEF IN UTTARAKHAND – STATUS UPDATE AS ON 1700 HRS|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=96763|publisher=PBI|accessdate=4 July 2013|author=GoM(Media)|date=21 June 2013}}</ref> On 21–22 June, the army's ground troops moved to Sonprayag and Kedarnath, to build infrastructure to receive,  move,  assist, treat,  and hold the affected people.<ref name="phase 2"/>

On 23 June, phase three of the Army's operation began. The priorities of phase three included relief, rescue, search, and evacuation operations. The army worked on securing, marking, and improving helipads; repairing and installing bridges;  improving and restoring tracks; establishing staging areas, transit areas, reception centres, medical aid posts;  escorting and guiding people;  providing food, water, shelter, and medical aid to the affected population,  and most importantly providing through their presence, example, and leadership, hope,  and encouragement to the stranded population.<ref name="Operation Surya Hope, 19 June 13, website" /><ref name="phase, India tv">{{cite web|title=Uttarakhand Floods: ITBP to Start Third Phase of Operation Surya Hope|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsZ7NnTonnI.|publisher=IndiaTV|language=Hindi|date=23 June 2013}}</ref> A steel foot bridge across Alaknanda at Lambagar in Badrinath Valley, by the army engineers,  was under construction,  on 26 June 13,  to facilitate the cross river evacuation.<ref name="IA, 26 june">{{cite web|title=ARMY CONSTRUCTING FOOT BRIDGE ACROSS ALAKNANDA|url=http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/Site/PressRelease/frmPressReleaseDetail.aspx?n=bniEtbbo9LN7kb4q3kupGg==&NewsID=c7/H55MO7BS8eineDlib6A==|publisher=Indian Army|accessdate=28 June 2013|date=26 June 2013}}</ref> As of 26 June Surya Hope had delivered 24 tons of food, fuel, medicines, blankets and relief material and evacuated 33,000 people, including 2,715 by thirteen helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps,  which clocked over 600 sorties.<ref name="Operation Surya,  website">{{cite web|last=Ministry of defence|title=Army Launches Website for Flood Affected|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx|publisher=Press Information Bureau|accessdate=27 June 2013|date=26 June 2013}}</ref> Special troops trained in high altitude search, rescue, and relief work, including paratroopers and heli-borne troops, were deployed on search and rescue missions in the Kedarnath and Badrinath axis, along Arva Tal on Gangotri – Mana axis, and in the [[Pindari Glacier]], and Sunder Dunga Glacier in [[Kumaon division|Kumaon region]], to search, rescue, and assist, stranded civilians.<ref name="MOD, 20 june" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Operation Surya Hope to Rescue Thousands in Uttarakhand|url=http://news.oneindia.in/2013/06/19/operation-surya-hope-to-rescue-thousands-in-uttarakhand-1241019.html.|publisher=News.oneindia.in|accessdate=1 July 2013}}</ref>

By 25 June the strength of ‘self sufficient’ military medical posts, it was reported, had increased to 29. An ‘Accident and Emergency Services Medical Centre’ was established at Joshimath Helipad. These medical posts were manned by Army doctors, nurses, and para-medics. Medical camps were reported ready at Gothi, Dharchula, Gauridham, Tijam, and the Military Hospital at Pithoragarh, was opened for civilian casualties along the Pithoragarh – Dharchula – Tawaghat axis. Thousands of patients were provided medical attention at these facilities daily. In addition, the IAF deployed Air Force Rapid Action Medical Teams, with the air stations, and detachments.<ref name= "medical, 25 june">{{cite web|title=Armed Forces Medical Services Personnel Provides Maximum Medical Aid to Flood Victims|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx|publisher=PIB|accessdate=9 July 2013|author=Ministry of Defence|date=25 June 2013}}</ref> On 26 June a team of two psychiatrists from the Army Medical Corps(AMC) opened a post disaster and trauma counselling centre in the Joshimath sector, to provide counselling to the civil population stranded at Badrinath and Kedarnath.<ref name="IA, 26 june"/>

The Government of Uttarakhand, and [[Vijay Bahuguna]], the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, have been blamed for not taking heed of the meteorological departments warning, failing to issue timely evacuation advisory, for being ill-prepared, for tardy and disorganised response, and poor leadership.<ref name="Purie , 28 june"/><ref name="Lessons Still Unlearnt">{{cite web|title=Lessons still Unlearned: Another national calamity, another instance of apathy and disaster mismanagement by unprepared state and central governments|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttarakhand-floods-national-calamity-apathy-and-disaster-mismanagement/1/285856.html|publisher=India Today|accessdate=3 July 2013|author=Bhavna Vij-Aurora|author2=Amarnath K. Menon|page=English|date=28 June 2013}}</ref> Some have suggested that it was not a natural disaster but a man made disaster.<ref name="Bidwai, 30 june" /> Chief Minister Bahuguna denied that it was a man made disaster stating that "There was no delay" and that "more than a lakh people were evacuated without any law and order problem, so credit should go to the government", adding  "I don't agree that it is a man-made disaster. Calamities are not in our control. I cannot control tsunami, earthquake or cloudburst."<ref name="IE, casualty count, 1 july">{{cite web|title=Will never know exact death toll in Uttarakhand floods: CM Bahuguna|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/will-never-know-exact-death-toll-in-uttarakhand-floods-cm-bahuguna/1136067/|publisher=indianexpress|accessdate=2 July 2013|author=Press Trust of India|date=1 July 2013}}</ref>

The army's and the IAF's performance and discipline, in the response to the Humanitarian crisis in Uttarakhand, has been widely applauded.<ref name="Purie , 28 june"/><ref name="Documentry of role of army, ibn">{{cite web|title=Indian Army : The real heroes in Uttarakhand flood rescue operations Documentary|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7pU7bWM93I|publisher=UttarakhandLiveTV|accessdate=3 July 2013|author=CNN IBN|date=June 2013}}</ref>  The performance of the NDMA and the NDRF, organisations which are well-funded, has been faulted. It was criticised for providing a tardy, sloppy response to the disaster and for failing "miserably in its first major challenge".<ref name="Bidwai, 30 june" /><ref name="Purie , 28 june"/>

There was no clear accounting of the dead, injured and missing, even two weeks after the flash floods struck the state on 17 June. As late as 2 July 2013, official figures for the dead and missing varied between of 800 to over 10,000.<ref name="online">{{cite web|title=Death Estimates From Indian Floods Vary Wildly More Than Two Weeks After Disaster, Toll Ranges From 800 to 10,000|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324436104578578592033472784|publisher=Wall Street Journal|accessdate=2 July 2013|author=VIBHUTI AGARWAL|page=English|date=1 July 2013}}</ref> Govind Singh Kunjwal, Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker, and the NDMA's vice-chairman, Shashidhar Reddy, on 1 July, estimated that "more than 10,000" were killed by the floods. The Home Ministry estimate of the death toll was lower at 800.<ref name="online" />  Vijay Bahuguna, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand,  thought that the death toll "will exceed 1000". Controversially on 1 July,  he said,  "We will never know the exact number of the dead and the number of people buried or washed away."<ref name="IE, casualty count, 1 july" /> Even for the missing there were varied estimates. The [[Uttarakhand Police]] estimated the missing to be no more than 500.<ref>{{cite web|title=India Mass Cremation Held For Bodies Of Almost 300 Flood Victims In Kedarnath|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/27/india-mass-cremation-flood-victims_n_3509244.html|publisher=huffingtonpost|accessdate=2 July 2013|author=RAFIQ MAQBOOL|date=27 June 2013}}</ref> NDMA, UN agencies, and NGOs, estimates on 2 July for 'missing'  was upward of 10,000.<ref name="BBC, 2 July 13" /> A week later on 8 July Vijay Bahuguna, the Chief Minister, said over 4000 were missing, of whom 795 were from Uttarakhand, his home state.<ref name="hari kumar, 9 july">{{cite web|title=4,000 Still Missing in Indian Floods|url=http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/4000-still-missing-in-indian-floods/|accessdate=17 July 2013|author=Hari Kumar|page=English|date=9 July 2013}}</ref>

On 15 July, the official toll for the disaster was 580 confirmed dead, and 5,748 missing (924, from Uttarakhand and 4,824 are from other Indian states). The Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna confirmed that Uttarakhand was not issuing death certificates,  “We are only giving some monetary help to the family.”<ref name="hari kumar, 15 july">{{cite web|title=India Declares 5,748 Missing in Himalayan Floods|url=http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/india-declares-5748-missing-in-himalayan-floods/|work=New York Times|accessdate=17 July 2013|author=Hari Kumar|date=15 July 2013}}</ref> "The total fatalities for the purposes of compensation thus is 6328. The state authorities have decided to treat the ‘missing’  as presumed dead for the purposes of compensation,  even though the usual time lag between being ‘missing’  and being declared dead is seven years. The next of kin of the dead and the ‘missing’ will be paid Rupees 500,000 ($8,394). Residents of Uttarakhand will be paid by the state government.  Those from other states will be paid 350, 000 by the central government, and 150,000, by the state government."<ref name="hari kumar, 15 july"/><ref name="TOI,  15 july">{{cite web|title=Vijay Bahuguna refuses to declare dead those missing in Uttarakhand disaster|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Vijay-Bahuguna-refuses-to-declare-dead-those-missing-in-Uttarakhand-disaster/articleshow/21083784.cms|publisher=Times of India|accessdate=17 July 2013}}</ref>

'''14–16 June 2013''': Heavy unseasonal monsoon rain in north India, trigger floods, and landslides, in the north western mountain states of  [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]], and [[Himachal Pradesh]].<ref name="Bidwai, 30 june" /><ref name="india today,">{{cite web|title=Uttarakhand news: 17 choppers to stay put for 15 days, says Shinde|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttarakhand-news-17-choppers-to-stay-put-says-shinde/1/285786.html|publisher=India Today|accessdate=28 June 2013|author=IANS|date=28 June 2013}}</ref>

'''17 June 2013''': Army aviation helicopters conduct aerial reconnaissance of Himalayan temple town [[Kedarnath]].  Army orders an infantry unit to send a foot column to establish contact with the beleaguered temple town.  Next day, early morning, after a night march, an infantry column reaches Kedarnath. The [[Bareilly]] based Uttar Bharat Area mobilises headquarters to move to [[Dehradun]], the state capital.<ref name="thapa, 2 july">{{cite web|title=Nation needs to understand Ethos of Forces: Uttarakhand Disaster- A Test Case|url=http://www.claws.in/Nation-needs-to-undertsand-Ethos-of-Forces-Uttarakhand-Disaster--A-Test-Case-Brig-CS-Thapa-Retd.html|work=Centre for Land Warfare|publisher=Centre for Land Warfare|accessdate=19 July 2013|author=Thapa, CS , Brig (Retd)|location=Delhi Cantonment|date=2 July 2013}}</ref> India Army's Central Command starts deployment of 5000 troops in the flood affected areas, in response named  "Operation [[Ganga]] Prahar".<ref name="ganga prahar, pioneer" /> Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters conducts relief and rescue missions in Nakur area, [[Saharanpur district]], in Uttar Pradesh and Indri Sub division of [[Karnal]] district, in Haryana state. IAF station Sarsawa designated as hub for helicopter operations.<ref>{{cite web|title=AF on Relief Rescue Mission in Aid of Flash Floods Affected Areas|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx|publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdate=28 June 2013|date=17 June 2013}}</ref>  Medium lift helicopters including MI -17 V5s, moved to Jollygrant helipad, [[Dehradun]].<ref name="MOD, 18 june">{{cite web|title=Operation 'Rahat' Launched by the IAF|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx|publisher=PIB|accessdate=28 June 2013|author=Ministry of Defence|date=18 June 2013}}</ref> Late in the evening,  Defense Minister A.K. Antony, alerts the Armed Forces for relief and rescue mission.<ref name="Lessons Still Unlearnt" /> Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, returns from Delhi.<ref name="Tehelka, 20 july">{{cite news|title=Failing the disaster test|url=http://tehelka.com/failing-the-disaster-test/|accessdate=24 July 2013|newspaper=Tehelka|date=2013-07-20|author=Manoj Rawat}}</ref>

'''18 June 2013''': Lt-General Navtej Singh Bawa, the general officer commanding (GOC) Uttar Bharat Area, moves to Dehradun, to lead the Army disaster response and co-ordinate with the State government, and other agencies.<ref name="thapa, 2 july"/><ref name="Flights of Heroism, 28 June">{{cite web|title=Flights of Heroism Flights of Heroism: When all seemed lost, men in uniform stepped forward to turn the tide in the Uttarakhand floods|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttarakhand-floods-army-rescue-operations-itbp-personnel/1/285846.html|publisher=India Today|accessdate=4 July 2013|author=Sandeep Unnithan|date=28 June 2013}}</ref> Indian Air Force's humanitarian mission, named ''Operation Rahat''.<ref name="MOD, 18 june" /><ref name="pib">{{cite web|title=IAF's 'OP RAHAT' Update on 27 Jun 2013 Upto [sic] 6 O'clock|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=96834|publisher=Press Information Bureau|accessdate=28 June 2013|date=27 June 2013}}</ref> Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), outlines response to the unfolding disaster. On 15 June, the Inspector General, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Uttarakhand, ordered to "get in touch with Chief Secretary and provide whatever assistance was required by the State Government";  Border Road Organisation (BRO)  asked to "facilitate restoration of road communication across the different routes";  12 additional teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) ordered to be deployed to  [[Uttarakhand]], and 34 deaths confirmed in Uttarakhund.<ref name="MHA Sit Report, 18 june 13, website">{{cite web|title=Sit report:Rescue & Relief Operations in Flood Affected Areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx|publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs|accessdate=27 June 2013|author=MHA|date=18 June 2013}}</ref>  Rudraprayag, for the next four days was without a district magistrate and no system was in place to get information on who died, where the injured had been admitted and who were still trapped. No deputy collector was posted in Gaurikund, Sonprayag, Phata and Guptkashi for five days

'''19 June 2013''': Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is also Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the [[Indian Congress party|Indian Congress Party]] President [[Sonia Gandhi]], carry out an aerial survey of affected area.<ref name="PMO, 19 june" /><ref>{{cite web|title=PM, Sonia undertake aerial survey of the flood hit areas|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/video/pm-sonia-undertake-aerial-survey-142800919.html|publisher=NBS news|accessdate=28 June 2013|date=19 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="NDMA, concept">{{cite web|title=The Concept|url=http://ndma.gov.in/ndma/ndrfoverview.html|publisher=Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)|accessdate=1 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="NDMA, members">{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://ndma.gov.in/ndma/vc.html|publisher=National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)|accessdate=6 July 2013}}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=July 2019}}  The PM calls the situation in Uttarrakhand a '[[disaster]]' and directs "all Central Agencies to render all possible assistance in their domain to the State.”<ref name="PMO, 19 june" /> Responders in affected area include Army-5500,  Border Roads Organisation-3000, ITBP -600,  National Disaster Response Force 13 teams-422, [[helicopters]] (IAF, army and civil) 18 and [[C-130 Hercules|C-130]]-1.<ref name="PMO, 19 june" />

'''21 June 2013''': [[V.K. Duggal]], retired bureaucrat, and one of the eight members of the NDMA, holding the post of Minister of State designated nodal officer to co-ordinate rescue, relief, and assistance mission.<ref name="Lessons Still Unlearnt" /><ref name="NDMA, members"/> Uttrakhand Government posts 12 officers to disaster affected areas as nodal officers to co-ordinate the response.  The officers reach their respective posts on 22 and 23 June.<ref name="Tehelka, 20 july"/>

'''25 June 2013''': An IAF Mi-17 V5 helicopter on a relief and rescue mission from Gauchar to Guptkashi and Kedarnath on return leg from Kedarnath crashed North of Gaurikund. 20 persons on board were killed. Of these five were IAF crew members, and 15 ITBP soldiers, of whom 9 were on deputation with NDRF.<ref name="NYtimes, 25 june" /><ref>{{cite web|title=IAF Mi- 17 V 5 Helicopter Crash|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=96763|publisher=PIB|accessdate=1 July 2013|author=Ministry of Defence|date=25 June 2013}}</ref>

'''26 June 2013''': Central Command launches a website for reporting "minute to minute" progress on Operation Surya Hope in Uttarakhand.<ref name="Surya Hope, web site">{{cite web|title=Surya Hope|url=http://suryahopes.in/|publisher=Central Command|accessdate=6 July 2013}}</ref>  The site provides location wise list of stranded and rescued persons, and press releases(10) issued by Central Command.<ref name="Operation Surya,  website"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Indian Army|title=Surya Hope|url=http://suryahopes.in/|accessdate=26 June 2013}}</ref> Government imports 25 satellite phones from Hong Kong for the ill-prepared NDMA and NDRF.<ref name="Lessons Still Unlearnt" />

'''28 June 13''': General Bikram Singh, the Chief of the Army Staff,  on a visit to Gaucher, in Uttarakhand,  while speaking to a journalist, says that the purpose of Operation Surya Hope was to provide “aid to civil authorities”, to “strengthen the hands of the civil administration”. The Army confirms that all people stranded in Kedarnath had been evacuated, and that the road to Badrinath was open.<ref name="Central Command , COAS visit, 28 june">{{cite web|title=PRESS RELEASE ARMY CHIEF VISITS UTTARAKHAND|url=http://suryahopes.in/press_release_page.asp|publisher=Central Command|accessdate=5 July 2013|author=Central Command|date=28 June 2013}}</ref>

'''30 June 2013''': A Ministry of Defence update notes that the IAF from 17 to 30 June 2013, had airlifted 18,424 persons, in 2,137 sorties, and delivered 3,36,930&nbsp;kg of relief supplies.<ref>{{cite web|title=IAF's rescue and relief operations for 'Op Rahat'|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx|publisher=PIB|author=Ministry of Defence|date=30 June 2013}}</ref>

'''10 July 2013''': Army Engineers start work on a new 20&nbsp;km route to restore land communication with Kedarnath,  which has remained cut off since 16 June. An advance team of four officers and 21 soldiers reach Gomkara on 11 July. The alignment of the new route, which in places is over 13,000 feet, is Sonprayag-Gomkar-Dev Vishnu-Dhungaj Giri-Kedarnath.<ref name="First post, 11 july">{{cite web|title=Uttarakhand floods: Army begins work on new land route to Kedarnath|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/uttarakhand-floods-army-begins-work-on-new-land-route-to-kedarnath-949097.html|publisher=First Post|accessdate=17 July 2013|date=11 July 2013}}</ref>

'''16 September 2013''' Subhash Kumar, Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand,  issued revised  figures  for  missing  persons from 5,100 to 4,120, including 421 children. The revised figures, compiled by the Dehradun-based Missing Persons Cell, are based on a review of the [[First Information Report]]s (FIRs) recorded in the state's 13 districts. The state wise distribution of missing persons  is: 852  from Uttarakhand (including 652 from Rudrapryag district alone), 1,150 from Uttar Pradesh, 542 from Madhya Pradesh, 511 from Rajasthan, 216 from Delhi, 163 from Maharashtra, 129 from Gujarat, 112 from Haryana, 86 from Andhra Pradesh, 58 from Bihar, 40 from Jharkhand, 36 from West Bengal, 33 from Punjab, 29 from Chhattisgarh, 26 from Odisha, 14 each from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, six from [[Meghalaya]], four from Chandigarh, three from Jammu and Kashmir, two from Kerala and one each from [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]] and [[Assam]].<ref name="TOI/ 17-9-2013">{{cite news|last=Kunwar|first=DS|title=4,120 missing post-Uttarakhand floods|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/4120-missing-post-Uttarakhand-floods/articleshow/22641395.cms|accessdate=17 September 2013|newspaper=Times of India|date=17 September 2013}}</ref>