- Cloudburst Chaos in Uttarakhand: Homes Buried, Dozens Trapped, Death Toll Rises
UTTARKASHI, AUGUST 5 : A massive cloudburst triggered a devastating flash flood in Uttarakhand’s Dharali village near Gangotri on Tuesday, claiming at least four lives, burying homes, trapping scores, and unleashing widespread panic in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region. The disaster, which struck in the afternoon hours, left large parts of the village submerged under a lethal mix of water, debris, and slush, while ongoing rainfall and landslides continued to hamper rescue efforts late into the evening.
Dharali, a major halt for pilgrims en route to Gangotri, the sacred origin of the Ganges, is dotted with hotels, homestays, and shops, many of which were swept away in minutes. Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror as three- and four-story buildings crumbled, and floodwaters carved a path of destruction through the town. With 60–70 people feared trapped, officials warned that the final death toll could rise significantly as search and rescue operations unfold.
The cloudburst, which struck somewhere in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, sent torrents of water racing down two sides of a hill towards Dharali and Sukki villages. Contiguous buildings collapsed like dominoes under the force of the floodwaters. The Uttarkashi District Magistrate, Prashant Arya, confirmed four deaths and said the number of missing persons is not yet known. “The flood came with such intensity that many didn’t get time to flee,” Arya stated before leaving for the site.
The catastrophe also caused extensive disruption across Uttarakhand. Over 160 roads, including five national highways, were blocked due to landslides. Helicopter rescue efforts were stalled due to persistent rainfall and poor visibility. Army personnel from nearby Harsil reached the area promptly, while Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams scrambled through dangerous terrain to reach survivors. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed but was delayed by blocked roads and harsh weather conditions.
The devastation was vividly captured in multiple videos circulating online, showing brown, roaring torrents of water sweeping away structures and terrified locals screaming for help. In one clip, a man tries to wade through thick sludge before collapsing, while others are heard crying out, “Everything is finished.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a statement posted on X, expressed grief and assured that “no stone is being left unturned” in relief efforts. He confirmed he had spoken to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who immediately cut short his Andhra Pradesh visit to return to Dehradun. “Relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing,” Dhami said. Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also assured full support from the Centre, while beds were kept ready at AIIMS Rishikesh and ambulances rushed to the disaster site.
A grim forecast lies ahead. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for seven districts, warning of heavy rain, cloudbursts, and possible flash floods. These include Nainital, Champawat, Bageshwar, Pauri, Tehri, Haridwar, and Dehradun.
Experts attribute such intense events to the increasing volatility caused by climate change. According to a 2023 study by IIT Jammu and the National Institute of Hydrology, Uttarakhand experiences some of the highest cloudburst intensities in the Indian Himalayas. With Uttarkashi perched at 1,160 meters above sea level, it sits in a zone particularly vulnerable to extreme weather.