Many are feared missing after a cloudburst triggered flooding and a landslide in Dharali, Uttarakhand, on August 5.
According to local reports, four people have been killed.
A ferocious cloudburst unleashed devastating flash floods in a village, swallowing entire homes, hotels, and roads within minutes.
The incident occurred in Dharali village of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, northern India, on August 5.
The visuals from the spot paint a spine-chilling picture of nature’s fury — a raging wall of muddy floodwaters, unleashed by a sudden cloudburst, engulfing the entire Dharali village. The furious surge crashes through settlements, sweeping away homes, roads, and belongings, leaving behind mangled debris and thick layers of sludge. In another heart-wrenching clip, chaos unfolds as terrified villagers scream and scramble for safety while yet another wave of floodwater barrels through, ripping apart everything in its path. Within minutes, the vibrant village is reduced to wreckage, as the flood swallows lives, livelihoods, and entire structures, leaving devastation in its wake.
According to reports, the sudden cloudburst in the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river triggered a catastrophic flash flood on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. At least four people have been confirmed dead, while several others, including labourers and residents, are feared missing. The violent waters swept away homes, shops, hotels, and roads, virtually flattening the entire village in northern Uttarkashi district.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as residents scrambled for higher ground. Initial estimates suggest that between 20 and 25 hotels, guest houses, and homestays may have been completely washed away. According to villagers, around 10 to 12 labourers working in the area are feared trapped beneath the rubble.
Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed the fatalities and said that the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed for extensive search and rescue operations. “A massive wave of flash flood hit the area. We are assessing the extent of damage to both life and property. The area is home to several small guest houses and restaurants, and keeping that in mind, rescue teams have been dispatched accordingly,” he said.
In addition to human casualties, nearly 18 goats were swept away in the overflowing Kud Gadhera stream in Banala Patti of Barkot tehsil.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and directed central forces, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), to assist in rescue efforts. “The situation is being closely monitored,” Shah said in a statement.
The Indian Army's Ibex Brigade was quick to respond. In a statement, the Army confirmed, “A massive mudslide struck Dharali village in the Kheer Gad area near Harsil, triggering a sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement. Troops were immediately mobilised to assess the situation and begin rescue efforts. Relief operations are underway and updates will follow.”
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “The news of heavy loss due to cloudburst in the Dharali area is extremely sad and painful. Rescue operations are ongoing on a war footing. I am in constant contact with senior officials, and the situation is being continuously monitored,” he said. “I pray for the safety and well-being of everyone affected.”
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for continued heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand, especially in the hill districts, until August 10. With saturated soil and overflowing rivers, the risk of more landslides and flash floods remains high.
Rescue teams have been rushed from Harsil and Bhatwari to support evacuation and search efforts. Authorities fear that the death toll may rise as they comb through the wreckage.
The calamity has once again highlighted the fragile ecology of Uttarakhand’s mountainous terrain and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the region.
