A devastating cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday has led to the deaths of at least four people, with over 50 others feared missing. The cloudburst occurred in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river and triggered a massive landslide, leading to sudden flash floods that wreaked havoc in Dharali village and surrounding areas.
Horror Unfolds in Dharali Uttarakhand
Nature’s fury at its worst. Horrifying footage of the moment the flash flood hit in Uttarkashi… People seen running away but are swept away in seconds pic.twitter.com/oMZp4q9d3I
— Akshita Nandagopal (@Akshita_N) August 5, 2025
Shocking visuals have emerged from the region, showing a violent surge of water cascading down the mountainside and crashing through Dharali village, sweeping away houses, vehicles, and other infrastructure in its path. Videos shared by terrified locals on social media capture the sheer force of the flash flood and the chaotic scenes as residents scream in panic and scramble for safety.
Eyewitnesses reported that the floodwaters hit the village with little warning, leaving people with hardly any time to react. Many houses were destroyed or washed away in Uttarakhand, while livestock and personal belongings were lost in the deluge. The full scale of the damage is still being assessed as rescue efforts continue.
The (Uttarakhand)Uttarkashi police responded quickly to the incident, posting updates and images of the destruction on social media. In a public advisory, they urged residents and tourists to stay away from rivers and streams in the region.
“In view of this incident, everyone should maintain a safe distance from the river,” the police stated. “Ensure that you, your children, and your animals are kept away from riverbanks for safety.”
Relief and Rescue Operations Underway
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that relief and rescue operations were underway. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been deployed to the affected areas. According to officials, three ITBP teams and four NDRF teams have been rushed to the region and have begun rescue work in coordination with the local administration.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami also stated that he was in constant contact with senior officials to monitor the situation closely. He expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling the damage caused by the cloudburst “extremely sad and distressing.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also weighed in on the disaster. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shah said he had spoken with Chief Uttarakhand Minister Dhami and assured all necessary assistance from the central government. “The situation is being monitored at the highest level,” he noted, adding that rescue operations would continue with urgency.
The tragedy comes amid relentless rainfall across Uttarakhand during the ongoing monsoon season. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for extremely heavy rainfall in the region, warning of more potential cloudbursts and landslides in the coming days. A ‘yellow alert’ has been issued for heavy rainfall throughout the rest of the week.
The heavy rain has caused rivers to swell dangerously, increasing the risk of further flooding. The Ganga River in Haridwar is already flowing near the danger mark, prompting additional warnings from the state authorities.
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Tuesday’s disaster follows a string of rain-related incidents across the state. On Monday, two people lost their lives after boulders and debris fell on their shops in Rudraprayag district due to continuous rainfall. The sudden landslide buried the shops completely, highlighting the dangers posed by unstable hillsides during the monsoon.
In Udham Singh Nagar district, a flood-like situation developed over the weekend as the water level of the Levda River and its tributaries rose rapidly. Several villages along the Rampur–Nainital road, including Chakarpur, Lakhanpur, Muriya Pistor, and Barhaini, were affected. Dozens of families had to evacuate as water entered their homes and fields.
The state government has issued warnings to residents in low-lying and hilly areas to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and move to safer locations if needed. Emergency shelters have been set up in several districts to accommodate those displaced by the floods.
Uttarakhand, located in the seismically active and ecologically fragile Himalayan belt, is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters such as landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods. In recent years, the frequency and intensity of such events have increased, with experts attributing some of these changes to shifting climate patterns and unregulated construction in ecologically sensitive zones.
Environmentalists have repeatedly called for more sustainable development practices and improved disaster preparedness in the region. The tragedy in Uttarkashi underscores the urgent need for long-term planning, better early warning systems, and increased public awareness to prevent future loss of life and property.
As rescue operations continue, families of the missing are anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. Many hope that the teams on the ground will be able to locate and rescue those trapped or swept away by the sudden floodwaters.
Meanwhile, the state and central governments have pledged their full support to aid the affected people and restore normalcy as soon as possible.
