Uttarkashi: A deadly cloudburst struck Uttarkashi district’s Dharali village late Tuesday noon, unleashing a massive flood in the Khirganga river and causing large-scale destruction across the region.
The sudden deluge claimed at least four lives, with several others still feared trapped under debris and collapsed structures, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
District Magistrate Prashant Arya said the disaster hit around noon, catching residents off guard as a torrent of water and sludge swept through the village. “We have recovered four bodies so far. Several people are feared trapped, and rescue operations are underway with full force,” Arya said. The village’s main marketplace — once a bustling area dotted with hotels, shops, and homestays — now lies in ruins. Many commercial structures collapsed as the powerful surge tore through the area, leaving behind mangled remains of buildings and shattered livelihoods.
Location: Dharali, Uttarkashi. Uttarakhand
— Saurabh Sharma (@saurabhsherry) August 5, 2025
Incident: Cloudburst pic.twitter.com/Vz2mZ04Cud
धराली (उत्तरकाशी) के प्रभावित क्षेत्रों में जिला प्रशासन, भारतीय सेना, NDRF एवं SDRF की टीमें राहत और बचाव कार्यों में जुटी हुई हैं। प्राथमिकता के आधार पर लोगों को सुरक्षित स्थानों पर पहुंचाया जा रहा है और स्थिति पर लगातार निगरानी रखी जा रही है। प्रशासन पूरी तरह सतर्क है और… pic.twitter.com/EV2ykxQ0bA
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) August 5, 2025
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as the floodwaters surged into residential zones. "Within minutes, the water level rose above our waist. People were screaming and running for higher ground. Entire buildings just crumbled in front of us," said Ramesh Rawat, a shopkeeper whose store was washed away.
Army personnel from the nearby Harsil base, along with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police, have been deployed for search and rescue. Operations are concentrated around Bhatwari and the submerged market area, where sniffer dogs and heavy equipment are being used to locate trapped individuals.
The devastation in Dharali was compounded by reports of a second cloudburst at Sukhi Top, on the same road as Dharali.
Horrifying! This zoomed video shows the extent of destruction in Uttarkashi. People seen running, but within seconds everything is swallowed by debris and water. Prayers to the almighty for everyone’s safety. #uttarkashi | #Uttrakhand
pic.twitter.com/XLhmlAZMBz— Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) August 5, 2025
Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed the incident but stated that no casualties or property damage were reported at Sukhi Top so far. “The rain is relentless, and water levels are dangerously high. Our first priority is to evacuate people to safer areas. We are monitoring the situation continuously,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a related incident, the Telgadh stream near the Harsil Army camp overflowed after heavy rainfall in Kheer Ganga, adding to the fear among local communities. The raging stream has forced the closure of the Gangotri Highway, further complicating rescue logistics in the upper reaches of the district.
#WATCH | Dehradun, Uttarakhand: On the Uttarkashi cloudburst incident, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, RK Sudhanshu says, "The District Magistrate and SP have both left for the spot. There is a possibility of loss of life and property. We have sent SDRF as well as NDRF,… pic.twitter.com/kCTo0D8ktQ
— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025
Elsewhere in the state, torrential rains continued to lash several hill districts. On Tuesday morning, flash floods in the Kud Gadhera stream in Banala Patti area of Barkot tehsil swept away at least 18 goats, although no human casualties were reported. As a precaution, schools in Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, and Haridwar districts were ordered shut due to the weather warning.
Rohit Thapliyal, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Dehradun, said that heavy rainfall is expected to continue until at least August 10. “Red alerts have been issued for several districts in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. People living in landslide-prone and riverbank areas should remain extremely cautious,” he said.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extensive damage in Uttarkashi. “Our teams — SDRF, NDRF, Army, and the district administration — are working on a war footing to rescue those trapped and provide relief to affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation and have asked officials to leave no stone unturned,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences via social media. “I extend my sympathies to those affected by this tragedy and pray for the safety of all. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and taken stock of the situation. Relief and rescue operations are underway with full force under the state government’s supervision. No effort is being spared to assist those in need,” he posted on X.
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
VIDEO | Uttarakhand: Cloudburst causes massive destruction in Dharali Uttarkashi. More details are awaited.#Cloudburst #UttarakhandNews
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 5, 2025
(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/vFx2rEUHvv
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, too, shared his concern and grief. “The news of multiple deaths and missing persons following the devastating cloudburst in Dharali, Uttarakhand, is deeply saddening and worrying. I express my heartfelt condolences to the affected families and hope the missing are found soon. I urge the administration to speed up relief and rescue operations,” he said in a post on X.
उत्तराखंड के धराली में बादल फटने से आई भारी तबाही के कारण कई लोगों की मौत और कई अन्य के लापता होने की खबर बेहद दुखद और चिंताजनक है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 5, 2025
मैं प्रभावित परिवारों के प्रति गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं और लापता लोगों के जल्द से जल्द मिलने की आशा करता हूं।
प्रशासन से अपील है कि राहत और…
To support rescue efforts, the State Emergency Operations Centre has requested the deployment of two MI helicopters and one Chinook from the central government. These aircraft are expected to provide aerial surveillance, drop relief materials, and assist in evacuating stranded villagers once weather permits.
With roads blocked, rivers swelling, and remote villages cut off, the Himalayan state remains on high alert. For now, Uttarkashi's battered communities are relying on the courage of rescue teams — and hoping for the skies to finally clear.
