Just hours after a devastating flash flood hit Dharali village, a second cloudburst struck Sukhi Top in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday afternoon,
triggering yet another wave of destruction. Several houses were reported to be either damaged or washed away by the sudden deluge.
The twin disasters, occurring within a span of hours, have sent shockwaves through the region, with the Dharali incident alone claiming at least four lives and leaving several others missing.
According to the Indian Army, the cloudburst near Dharali occurred in the Kheer Gad area close to Harsil, a major stop along the Gangotri pilgrimage route. Around 1:40 PM, a torrent of boulders, debris, and mud surged through the village, flattening houses, shops, homestays, and hotels in its path.
District Disaster Management Officer Shardul Gusain confirmed the casualties. “We have received reports of four fatalities. Rescue teams from the district administration, police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the army have been deployed to the site and rescue operations are ongoing,” he said.
Many more people are feared missing, with rescue teams still working through the debris. Officials noted that the full extent of the damage will only be clear once assessment teams return from the affected zones.
Preliminary reports suggest that the flood was triggered by a cloudburst in the upper reaches of the Kheer Ganga rivulet. Locals were caught entirely off guard by the surge.
Visuals from the ground show scenes of devastation — roads buried in rubble, collapsed structures, and villagers scrambling to retrieve their belongings. Several parts of the area remain inaccessible due to blocked roads and broken communication lines.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the situation and said he was monitoring the developments closely. “The loss of lives and property in Uttarkashi is tragic. I have instructed the district administration to ensure swift and coordinated rescue and relief operations,” he said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also dialled CM Dhami to take stock of the situation. During the call, Shah conveyed his condolences over the loss of lives and assured the state of full support. According to officials, Shah said the central government stands firmly with Uttarakhand and has directed that rescue efforts continue on a war footing.
Additional teams and helicopters are on standby, while relief camps are being established in safer areas for the displaced.
