Four people have lost their lives and at least 130 others, who were initially feared trapped or missing, have been rescued after a massive flash flood, triggered by a suspected cloudburst, devastated Dharali village, a key stopover on the route to Gangotri, in Uttarkashi district on August 5.
The deluge swept away homes, hotels, restaurants, and cars, leaving a trail of destruction in the Himalayan state. Dharali, which houses numerous tourist accommodations and eateries, was among the worst-hit areas as floodwaters carrying silt, debris, and uprooted trees surged through the region.
Eyewitness Horror: Homes and Hotels Crushed
Visuals from the site showed muddy torrents gushing down slopes, swallowing everything in their path. Residents could be heard screaming as water and debris approached with terrifying force.
Cloudburst and flash flood in Uttarakhand.
– Praying for everyone’s safety! 🙏❤️pic.twitter.com/OfnSoYL5XA
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 5, 2025
Rajesh Panwar, an eyewitness, told PTI that nearly 20 to 25 hotels and homestays may have been washed away in the disaster. The Bhagirathi river’s flow was obstructed, creating a temporary lake in Harsil, which officials say poses a serious downstream threat.
Rescue Ops in Full Swing Despite Bad Weather
Rescue teams comprising the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are operating under extreme conditions to save lives and restore connectivity.
50 NDRF personnel have been dispatched from Delhi, along with 15 officials from Dehradun, 30 SDRF personnel from Gangotri, and another 45 from Dehradun.
30 ITBP personnel are on-site, and additional teams are en route.
— JAYDIP (@jaydipsaid) August 5, 2025
The state government has sought aerial support from the Indian Air Force, requesting two MI and two Chinook helicopters for rescue missions.
Col Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 RAJRIF, is leading 150 soldiers in critical rescue operations, despite being cut off after the unit’s base was badly affected. “Twenty people have been rescued so far, and more columns are being moved to assist,” the Defence PRO said.
Nine Soldiers Missing; Landslides Block Key Routes
In a worrying development, the Army has confirmed that nine soldiers are missing from a camp in the lower Harsil area. Meanwhile, 163 roads—including five national highways, seven state highways, and two border roads have been blocked by landslides, hampering relief efforts.
Uttarakhand Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu reported that 40 to 50 buildings have been damaged in the floods.
CM Dhami, PM Modi Monitor Situation
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the State Emergency Operations Centre in Dehradun to oversee rescue operations. He said,
“Rescue operations are on… three IAS officers have been appointed to coordinate on-ground efforts. PM Modi and the Home Minister have assured all possible support from the Centre.”
#WATCH | Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami takes information from the people of the relief rescue team deployed at ground zero. The Chief Minister gave the necessary instructions. pic.twitter.com/jHB79a6I4p
— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025
Dhami confirmed that 70 people have been rescued from Dharali and announced that he would personally visit the disaster site on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and said in a statement:
“Relief and rescue teams are making every possible effort under state supervision. No stone is being left unturned in providing help to those affected.”
उत्तरकाशी के धराली में हुई इस त्रासदी से प्रभावित लोगों के प्रति मैं अपनी संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूं। इसके साथ ही सभी पीड़ितों की कुशलता की कामना करता हूं। मुख्यमंत्री पुष्कर धामी जी से बात कर मैंने हालात की जानकारी ली है। राज्य सरकार की निगरानी में राहत और बचाव की टीमें हरसंभव…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to CM Dhami and directed ITBP and NDRF teams to assist. “Three nearby ITBP teams have been sent, and four NDRF teams are on their way,” he said on X.
उत्तराखंड के धराली (उत्तरकाशी) में फ्लैश फ्लड की घटना को लेकर उत्तराखंड के मुख्यमंत्री से बात कर घटना की जानकारी ली। ITBP की निकटतम 3 टीमों को वहाँ भेज दिया गया है, साथ ही NDRF की 4 टीमें भी घटनास्थल के लिए रवाना कर दी गई हैं, जो शीघ्र पहुँच कर बचाव कार्य में लगेंगी।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 5, 2025
Schools Shut, IMD Issues Orange Alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rain in seven districts—Nainital, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Bageshwar, Pauri, Tehri, Haridwar, and Dehradun—for Wednesday (August 6).
All schools (Classes 1 to 12) and anganwadi centres will remain closed in Almora, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Udham Singh Nagar, and Champawat districts.
Cloudburst or Extreme Rainfall?
While officials are calling the event a cloudburst, IMD data indicates rainfall levels were lower than the usual threshold for such classification, 100 mm/hour across 20–30 sq. km. Experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of flash floods, landslides, and extreme weather events in the Himalayan region.
