Uttarakhand Flash Flood: A massive flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in the Khir Ganga river has caused major destruction in Uttarkashi’s Dharali village on Tuesday.
The floodwaters, carrying heavy
silt, swept through the area, washing away homes and submerging structures. Many villagers are feared trapped, according to reports.
The disaster occurred following a cloudburst in the region, confirmed Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya, as reported by news agency ANI.
BREAKING: Dehradun: Massive flood in the Khir Ganga river in Uttarkashi. Water carrying silt cascades into Tharali village. Many feared trapped. Disaster teams rushed. pic.twitter.com/wtXVrqYBzL
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) August 5, 2025
Disaster response teams, including the SDRF, NDRF, army, and local administration, have been rushed to the site, said officials.
Rescue operations are underway as rainfall continues to lash the region and water levels in the Khir Ganga river remain dangerously high, they added.
Eyewitness’ Account
Eyewitness Suresh Semwal described the situation to CNN-News18, saying, “Situation is very bad here, many hotels washed away in this flood – around 50 hotels in this area totally submerged, many villagers trapped. Rain is still continuing. The water level has increased in the river. Local people have climbed to the nearby mountains to save themselves.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep concern over the tragedy and assured that relief and rescue operations are on a war footing.
“The news of heavy damage caused by the cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) region is extremely saddening and painful. SDRF, NDRF, district administration, and other concerned teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing. I am in constant touch with senior officials regarding this matter and closely monitoring the situation. I pray to God for everyone’s safety,” Dhami said in a statement.
धराली (उत्तरकाशी) क्षेत्र में बादल फटने से हुए भारी नुकसान का समाचार अत्यंत दुःखद एवं पीड़ादायक है। राहत एवं बचाव कार्यों के लिए SDRF, NDRF, जिला प्रशासन तथा अन्य संबंधित टीमें युद्ध स्तर पर जुटी हुई हैं।
इस सम्बन्ध में लगातार वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों से संपर्क में हूँ और स्थिति की गहन…
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) August 5, 2025
Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to CM Dhami and took stock of the current situation.
Uttarakhand Minister Saurabh Bahuguna, speaking to CNN-News18, said: “It’s a very sad incident. The rescue operation is on… The priority is to save lives of the people stuck there. NDRF, SDRF on the way to the location.”
Authorities remain on high alert as relentless rain continues to hamper rescue efforts in the affected region.
