Houses partially submerged due to a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst at Dharali, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, Tuesday, August 5. PTI
Uttarakhand cloudbursts wreak havoc: 4 killed, 10 soldiers missing
Landslides across the state blocked 163 roads, including five national highways, seven state highways, and two border roads
Disaster swept through the Himalayan village of Dharali on the way to Gangotri on Tuesday (August 5) with a massive cloudburst leading to flashfloods that barrelled through homes, trees and cars, trapping 60-70 people and leaving at least four dead. According to the latest reports, at least 10 soldiers are also missing.
Dharali is the main stopover on way to Gangotri, the origin of the Ganges, and home to many hotels, restaurants and home stays.
At least half the village was buried under the fast-flowing mudslide of slush, rubble, and water, officials said as rescue personnel battled the elements in the ecologically fragile heights to contain the damage of the afternoon.
Buildings come down like a pack of cards
Contiguous buildings, including three and four-storey houses, fell like a pack of cards as the surging waters washed over them. The devastating flash floods came in the wake of a cloudburst somewhere in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river.
And Dharali was not the only hit. The raging waters flowed down two different sides of the same hill, one towards Dharali and the other towards the village of Sukki, said state Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman. The rain continued through the afternoon and till evening, hampering rescue efforts.
Besides, landslides blocked 163 roads, including five national highways, seven state highways and two border roads across the state, further impeding rescue and preventing personnel from getting to the far-flung area, about 140 km from the state capital Dehradun and usually a five-hour drive.
An Army team from the nearest location of Harsil was immediately rushed to the spot to launch rescue operations but teams from other places found it difficult to reach due to bad weather and disrupted roads, Suman said.
According to initial reports, at least four people have died, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya told reporters in Dehradun before rushing to the spot.
There was no official confirmation on the number of people who went missing after the flashflood but it is likely to be high as the sudden rush of floodwaters gave people no time to run towards safety. As darkness fell, announcements were made asking people to move to safer ground.
Live Updates
- 5 Aug 2025 5:19 PM IST
Rajnath: Taking all possible measures to save precious lives
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a post on X, said that the Centre and state governments are taking all possible measures to save precious lives.
"Have been seeing disturbing visuals from Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) on the devastation caused by flash floods. Praying for the well-being of the people affected by the tragedy. The Centre and the State Government are working in tandem, taking all possible measures to save precious lives," Rajnath said.
- 5 Aug 2025 5:12 PM IST
Another cloudburst in Sukhi Top near Dharali
Another cloudburst has occurred in Sukhi Top near Dharali, says Uttarkashi administration. More details awaited.
Meanwhile, the Jyotirmath-Malari motor road has been washed out near Saldhar. Travellers and local residents are requested to avoid unnecessary travel, said Chamoli Police, Uttarakhand.
- 5 Aug 2025 5:09 PM IST
Nadda: BJP workers involved in helping victims
Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda said that all BJP workers in Uttarakhand have been involved in providing help to victims.
"In this hour of crisis, all BJP workers in the state are involved in providing every possible help to the victims. I express my condolences to the affected families," Nadda wrote in Hindi on X.
- 5 Aug 2025 4:26 PM IST
PM Modi speaks to CM Dhami
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he had spoken to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Modi expressed condolences to the people affected by the cloudburst tragedy and added that no stone is left unturned in assisting people.
"I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. Along with this, I pray for the well-being of all the victims. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami ji and obtained information about the situation. Under the supervision of the state government, relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort. No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people," Modi posted in Hindi on his X account.
- 5 Aug 2025 4:06 PM IST
20 people evacuated, says Indian Army
Senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, Chief Minister, and Commissioner of Garhwal Division, are monitoring the situation at the State Disaster Operations Centre in Dehradun.
In a statement, the Indian Army said that 20 people were evacuated.
A landslide occurred near Dharali village, approximately 4 km from the Indian Army Camp at Harshil, at around 1:45 PM today. Responding with urgency, the Indian Army mobilised 150 personnel who reached the site within 10 minutes and immediately commenced rescue operations. So far, 15-20 individuals have been successfully evacuated, with the injured receiving prompt medical treatment at the Indian Army medical facility in Harshil. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with all available resources being deployed to locate and evacuate any remaining stranded persons. The situation is under continuous monitoring, and the Indian Army remains fully committed to providing all possible assistance to the affected civilians, the Indian Army said.
- 5 Aug 2025 3:54 PM IST
4 NDRF teams for rescue work
In a post on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that four NDRF teams have been dispatched for rescue work.
"Spoke with the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand regarding the flash flood incident in Dharali (Uttarkashi) to gather information about the event. Three nearby ITBP teams have been sent there, and four NDRF teams have also been dispatched to the site, which will soon arrive and engage in rescue operations," Shah wrote.
- 5 Aug 2025 3:39 PM IST
Four people killed, say officials
At least 4 people killed in the cloudburst that led to flash floods, officials said.
According to initial reports, at least four people have died, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya told reporters. An Army team from Harsil has been rushed to the spot.
About 10-12 people could be buried under the debris, Rajesh Panwar, a villager, told PTI. He said 20-25 hotels and homestays may have been washed away.
- 5 Aug 2025 3:37 PM IST
ITBP team to assist in rescue operations; Shah speaks to Dhami
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on the heavy damage caused by a cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) region.
Both the Indo-Tibetan Border Force (ITBP) and the NDRF teams have been directed to reach the spot.
A 16-member ITBP team has arrived at the cloudburst site in Uttarkashi to assist in rescue operations.
- 5 Aug 2025 3:33 PM IST
Watch: Massive mudslide strikes Dharali village
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 of Ibex Brigade were immediately mobilised and have reached the affected site to assess the situation and undertake rescue operations. Extent of damage is being ascertained and updates will follow as relief operations unfold, Central Command, Indian Army, said in a post on X.
- 5 Aug 2025 3:26 PM IST
Relief and rescue work underway on war footing: CM Dhami
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the cloudburst is "extremely sad and distressing". He added that he is closely monitoring the situation.
"The news of heavy damage caused by a cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) region is extremely sad and distressing. SDRF, NDRF, district administration, and other related teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing. In this regard, I am in constant contact with senior officials, and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to God for everyone's safety," Dhami wrote in Hindi in a post on X.
