A cloudburst in the high-altitude village of Dharali in Uttarkashi district on Tuesday triggered flash floods, damaging several houses and sweeping away structures, including hotels and homestays, according to locals.
The cloudburst occurred in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, leading to sudden and massive flooding. Videos from the area showed a roaring torrent of water rushing through the village, with residents screaming and scrambling to reach higher ground.
Emergency rescue operations were launched immediately. A team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been deployed to the site, and the situation remains tense as rescue efforts continue.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the tragedy.
“The news of heavy losses due to the cloudburst in Dharali is extremely sad and painful,” he said. “SDRF, NDRF, district administration and other teams are working on war footing for rescue and relief.”
He added, “I am in constant touch with senior officials, and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray for everyone’s safety.”
The Indian Army also rushed to assist.
“A massive mudslide struck Dharali village near Harsil, triggering a sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement,” the Army said in a statement. “Troops of the Ibex Brigade were immediately mobilised and have reached the site to assess the situation and begin rescue work. The extent of damage is still being ascertained.”
The Army said it remains committed to supporting citizens during this natural calamity.
Local resident Rajesh Panwar told PTI that 10-12 people may be buried under the debris, and 20-25 hotels and homestays could have been washed away in the floods.
“There’s panic everywhere. People are running for dry ground,” he said.
Rescue teams are facing tough conditions in the mountainous terrain, and officials say the full extent of the damage will only be known after a detailed assessment. Relief materials, medical aid, and temporary shelters are being arranged for the affected families.
The region, prone to natural disasters during the monsoon season, has once again been left vulnerable, raising concerns about infrastructure and preparedness in high-risk zones.
