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Key Points

The Department of Telecommunications led a rapid response to restore critical telecom services in Uttarkashi after a devastating cloudburst near Dharali village. Army-supplied fibre cables and airlifted equipment helped reconnect 26 damaged towers. Intra Circle Roaming ensured uninterrupted connectivity for rescue teams and residents. The joint effort with state and defence agencies highlights the importance of telecom in disaster management.

Key Points: DoT Restores Telecom in Uttarkashi After Cloudburst Disrupts Gangotri Region

  • DoT coordinated with Army and ITBP to airlift critical telecom equipment
  • 26 towers restored despite fibre cuts and power outages
  • Intra Circle Roaming enabled uninterrupted connectivity for relief operations
  • Joint efforts with state agencies ensured rapid disaster response
3 min read

Uttarakhand: DoT coordinates joint effort to swiftly restore critical telecom services in Uttarkashi's disaster-hit Bhatwadi-Gangotri region

DoT swiftly reconnects disaster-hit Uttarkashi with telecom services after cloudburst damages infrastructure, aided by Army, ITBP, and state agencies.

"Despite adverse weather and difficult terrain, field teams and equipment were mobilised via helicopter for last-mile delivery. – Ministry of Communications"

New Delhi, August

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), State Coordination Unit, Dehradun, UP (West) LSA, has successfully restored critical telecom connectivity in the Bhatwadi-Gangotri region of Uttarkashi district after a devastating cloudburst near Dharali Village on August 5, 2025, according to official statement from Ministry of Communications.

The disaster caused the Kheer Ganga River to swell suddenly, resulting in widespread destruction and complete disruption of telecom services in the Bhatwadi-Gangotri region. Two telecom towers at Dharali were completely flushed out, while 27 others went down due to multiple fibre cuts and power outages.

According to the release, acting with urgency, DoT worked in close coordination with all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), Infrastructure Providers (IPs), the Uttarakhand State Government, Army, ITBP, NDRF, SDRF, and the disaster management wing of DoT HQ to restore services.

In the initial phase, the Bhatwadi-Dharali fibre link was restored using Army-supplied Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) and additional cables airlifted from Uttarkashi and Dehradun. Two RJIO towers were installed at the ITBP Camp site, Dharali, and Mukhawa to re-establish coverage in Dharali and nearby areas.

Despite adverse weather and difficult terrain, field teams and equipment were mobilised via helicopter, and local transport was arranged for last-mile delivery. In the next phase, the Dharali-Gangotri fibre link was restored, enabling complete coverage across the region, as per the release.

Twenty-six towers have been restored and are now operational. These towers, along with temporary towers in Dharali and Mukhawa, are providing essential connectivity in the disaster-affected region.

To ensure uninterrupted service, Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) arrangements were implemented, allowing subscribers to connect to the strongest available network in the region.

This collaborative effort among DoT, TSPs, IPs, Uttarakhand State Government, and multiple agencies ensured the timely and rapid restoration of communication lines -- vital for both affected residents as well as personnel engaged in relief and rescue operations.

The DoT Uttarakhand Unit, in coordination with telecom operators, took prompt steps to restore telecom services in the disaster-affected area despite challenging conditions.

Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) is a telecom arrangement where a mobile subscriber connects to another operator's network within the same telecom circle (region). This allows users to access mobile services even if their own operator has no coverage in that specific area. It plays a critical role during natural disasters when mobile infrastructure is damaged.

During the time of disaster, if mobile infrastructure is damaged in a region, DoT issues instructions to Telecom Service Operators to implement ICR.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the response is commendable, we need to ask why telecom infrastructure in Himalayan regions remains so vulnerable. Cloudbursts aren't new - shouldn't we have more resilient systems by now? Hope the restored towers have better flood-proofing.
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Arjun K
Salute to the Army and ITBP personnel who worked in those difficult conditions! The photo of them carrying equipment through that terrain would give anyone goosebumps. These are the real heroes we don't talk about enough.
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Sarah B
The Intra Circle Roaming initiative is brilliant! During Kerala floods, my relatives couldn't call for help because their network was down while others worked. This should be standard protocol for all disaster-prone areas across India.
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Vikram M
As someone from Uttarakhand, I can't stress enough how crucial this was. When disasters hit, the first thing we need is to let our loved ones know we're safe. DoT and telecom companies deserve a big thank you from all pahadi people 🙏
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Kavya N
Hope they've installed temporary towers at all relief camps and hospitals too. During the 2013 floods, lack of connectivity made rescue operations extremely difficult. Good to see lessons being implemented this time. #UttarakhandStrong
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Michael C

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