- Flash floods in Uttarkashi’s Dharali village leave 5 dead, 50 missing; 190 rescued so far.
- Over 225 personnel from the Army, SDRF, and NDRF deployed for search and relief efforts.
- IMD warns of continued heavy rainfall; red alert remains across multiple districts in Uttarakhand.
A devastating cloudburst on Tuesday afternoon triggered massive flash floods in Dharali village, located along the pilgrim route to Gangotri Dham in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
As part of a large-scale rescue operation, the Indian Army has deployed infantry and engineering units, working alongside SDRF and NDRF teams to reach remote areas. Aerial surveillance and ground rescue continue amid landslide threats.
After the Deluge: Uttarkashi’s Trail of Destruction Sparks Massive Rescue Operation
The impact of the Uttarkashi cloudburst has extended beyond human loss. In Banala Patti, Barkot tehsil, 18 goats were swept away by an overflowing stream, reflecting the disaster’s reach into the region’s fragile rural economy. Livestock, crops, and businesses have suffered immense damage, crippling local livelihoods that depend on seasonal tourism and farming.
In a chilling reminder of growing monsoon-related threats, Jammu & Kashmir’s Rajouri district reported a similar tragedy. A migrant labourer from Uttar Pradesh, Pramod Kumar, went missing after flash floods in the Dhangri stream. Though two co-workers escaped, Kumar was swept away by a sudden current. An ongoing search involves SDRF, police, and local volunteers.
The devastation in Dharali includes the destruction of nearly 25 hotels and guesthouses, a blow to the tourism-driven local economy. The rising Kheer Gadh river tore through infrastructure with brutal force. Panic gripped residents as many took refuge on higher ground, unsure of what remained of their homes and families. Cadaver dogs have been deployed to trace those still buried under debris.
Environmental experts point to climate change and unchecked construction in sensitive zones as key factors behind the increasing frequency of cloudbursts in the Himalayan region. With intense rainfall events becoming more common, the disaster has once again raised urgent questions about sustainable development, early warning systems, and local preparedness.
As rescue teams battle time and terrain in Uttarkashi, the focus now shifts to stabilizing the affected regions, reuniting families, and rebuilding lives. With rain still forecasted, vigilance and timely action remain critical to prevent further loss.
“In the face of natural disaster, humanity’s strength lies not just in survival—but in how we rebuild with wisdom.”
