The authorities have said that at least four persons have been killed in Dharali, around
A cloudburst in the higher reaches triggered a deluge in the Kheer Ganga river that flows through Dharali. A massive wave of water, mud, and debris struck the village and washed away a large chunk of the village's main market where several hotels, restaurants, and homestays are located.
The deluge was captured on the camera and shows the wave hitting the town and washing away several buildings and people — see
VIDEO | Uttarakhand: Cloudburst in Kheer Ganga triggers devastation. Several feared swept away. More details awaited.
(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/tKFQJX8Udq
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 5, 2025
The Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel, among others, have been deployed to Dharali for rescue and relief works. The Uttarakhand government is also in consultations with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) about establishing land connectivity in the area as the deluge has washed away a major bridge in the area.
Dharali is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri, the origin of the Ganga river, and is popular among pilgrims and tourists.
Hours after the Dharali incident, ANI news agency reported at 4:48 pm that the Uttarkashi administration had said that another cloudburst had occurred in Sukhi Top near Dharali.
40-50 buildings, 20-25 hotels washed away
Officials and residents have said that the deluge washed away 40-50 buildings, including around 20-25 hotels, in Dharali.
Prima facie, it appears that 40-50 buildings have been washed away in the deluge, Uttarakhand Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu told PTI.
Separately,
A video captured from higher grounds shows the deluge tearing through several buildings that break apart on impact. Several people, perhaps dozens, are seen running in the video who are also seen getting washed away in the video.
Separately, India Today has reported that more than 50 people are feared missing.
"Everything from hotels to markets has been destroyed... I haven't witnessed a disaster like this before,"
Army, ITBP, SDRF on site for rescue works
The Central Command of the Indian Army said that personnel from the army base at Harshil around 4 kilometres from Dharali were dispatched for rescue.
In a press release, the Army said the firs contingent of around 150 personnel arrived within 10 minutes and began rescue operations, evacuating up to 20 persons to safer locations by 3:30 pm.
Separately, officials told PTI that a 16-member ITBP team has reached Dharali and another unit
Uttarakhand | Indian Army personnel engaged in rescue operations after a landslide occurred near Dharali village, approximately 4 km from the Indian Army Camp at Harshil, at around 1:45 PM today.
So far, 15–20 individuals have been successfully evacuated, with the injured… pic.twitter.com/LwPn5HiBvw
— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025
Principal Secretary Sudhanshu said that restoring connectivity was the priority at the moment.
"Since road connectivity has been impacted, a bridge has been washed away, we are talking to the officials of BRO, PWD, our priority is to restore connectivity, the weather is bad at present, we are not able to provide relief, and rescue through helicopter services. But SDRF, Army are there," Sudhanshu told PTI.
A fair saved most
residents: Official
Even though visuals suggest that most of the Dharali's market has been washed away in the deluge, an official told AFP news agency that the toll would be lower because "luckily, most of the people were at a fair in a safe location".
Visuals shared by the Army and the state police show the town submerged in mud and debris.
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उत्तरकाशी, हर्षिल क्षेत्र में खीर गाड़ का जलस्तर बढने से धराली में नुकसान होने की सूचना पर पुलिस, SDRF, आर्मी आदि आपदा दल मौके पर राहत एवं बचाव कार्य में जुटे हैं।
उक्त घटना को देखते हुए सभी नदी से उचित दूरी बनायें। स्वयं, बच्चों व मवेशियों को नदी से उचित दूरी पर ले जायें। pic.twitter.com/tAICzWQUzc
— Uttarkashi Police Uttarakhand (@UttarkashiPol) August 5, 2025
In a statement, the Uttarakhand government announced that it had set up helpline numbers operating from two centres in Haridwar and Dehradun. These numbers may be contacted
In Haridwar, the helpline numbers for the district emergency centre are 01374-222722, 7310913129, and 7500737269.
In Dehradun, the helpline numbers for the state emergency centre are 0135-2710334, 2710335, 8218867005, and 9058441404.
The emergency numbers 1070 and 112 are also active.
