A sudden cloudburst triggered devastating flash floods and landslides in Uttarakhand’s Dharali village on Tuesday, leaving at least four people dead and over 100 others missing. The disaster, which struck around 1:45 PM near the Kheer Ganga river catchment area, swept away dozens of homes, hotels, and buildings in the high-altitude region.
Dharali, located en route to Gangotri and known for its pilgrim and tourist influx, was caught completely off guard when a massive surge of water descended from the hills above. According to initial reports, around 40 to 50 houses were washed away, and significant damage was inflicted on the local infrastructure.
Villager Rajesh Panwar said, “We believe 10 to 12 people might be trapped under the debris. Around 20 to 25 hotels and homestays could have been completely swept away.”
The Indian Army was the first to respond, with personnel from the Harsil Post reaching Dharali village within 10 minutes of the incident. “Today, at about 13:45 hours, a mudslide and a cloudburst hit Dharali village. The Indian Army column located at Harsil Post was the first to respond and commenced rescue operations,” said Brigadier Mandeep Dhillon. “The column comprises about 150 personnel equipped with specialised medical and rescue equipment. So far, around 20 villagers have been rescued and are receiving treatment at our medical facility in Harshil,” he added. However, tragedy struck again when another cloudburst and landslide hit near the Army camp itself, worsening the situation.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have joined the Indian Army in ongoing rescue efforts. Three NDRF teams, each comprising 35 members, have been deployed along with two ITBP teams from the 12th Battalion stationed at Matli.
For the first time, the NDRF is deploying a specialised cadaver dog unit to help locate those feared buried under the rubble. These trained dogs were airlifted from Delhi to assist in the operation.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assured the public that the state government was closely monitoring the crisis. “Rescue operations are underway in full force by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, and district teams. People are being moved to safe locations on priority. The administration is alert and providing all necessary support,” he said.
The Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu and Commissioner Garhwal Mandal Vinay Shankar Pandey were coordinating assessment efforts on the ground. “There is a possibility of loss of life and property. The District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police are en route to the site. All necessary health and rescue teams have been mobilised,” said R.K. Sudhanshu.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and extended his support to the affected families. “I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. I have spoken to Chief Minister Dhami and received updates. Relief teams are working tirelessly, and all necessary assistance is being provided,” PM Modi stated via a post on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also assured swift response efforts.
“Spoke with the Chief Minister regarding the flash flood in Dharali. ITBP and four NDRF teams have been sent and are engaged in rescue work,” he posted.
In the aftermath of the disaster, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in several districts of Uttarakhand, including Almora, Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar, and Uttarkashi. Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected in the region within the next few hours, raising concerns over further landslides or flash floods.
Another cloudburst occurred at Sukhi Top near Dharali, triggering additional flash floods and blocking roads with debris and mud. This has severely hampered rescue operations and cut off the affected villages from nearby towns.
