Uttarakhand, Aug.05,2025: At approximately 1:45 PM IST the cloudburst over the upper Khīr Ganga basin caused a sudden flash flood
Uttarkashi Cloudburst Flash Flood Strikes Dharali
Uttarkashi cloudburst flash flood unfolded on the morning of Tuesday, August 5, 2025, when an intense cloudburst over the Khīr Ganga catchment triggered a catastrophic surge in water and debris, drowning Dharali village near Harsil in minutes.
Eyewitness Horror & Timeline of Events
- At approximately 1:45 PM IST the cloudburst over the upper Khīr Ganga basin caused a sudden flash flood.
- In just 30–34 seconds, torrents of water mixed with rocks and mud swept through Dharali, washing away hotels, homes, shops, and market stalls lining the riverbank.
- Villagers captured shocking footage of people screaming and fleeing as infrastructures collapsed into the rushing gully.
Casualties and Missing Persons
- Local officials confirmed 4 people died in the flash flood so far.
- Approximately 50 individuals remain missing, many feared trapped under debris or washed downstream in gutted buildings and lodges.
Scale of Destruction in Dharali
- The floodcourse devastated entire rows of hotels, homestays, and market shops. 20–25 accommodation units are reportedly destroyed.
- The entire marketplace of Dharali has been nearly wiped out. Several homes and commercial structures carved into the hillside were swept away.
Rescue and Relief Operations Underway
- The district administration, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, and the Indian Army swiftly mobilized. Within 10 minutes, a team of roughly 150 soldiers reached the site and began rescue efforts, evacuating 15–20 people to safety while searching for survivors.
- Specialized gear and search‑and‑rescue teams continue ground operations under adverse terrain and ongoing heavy rainfall conditions.
Government & Political Response
- Uttarkashi DM Prashant Arya confirmed fatalities and reported widespread property loss, with communications and electricity disrupted.
- Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“The news of heavy damage caused by a cloudburst in Dharali (Uttarkashi) region is extremely sad… SDRF, NDRF, district administration, and other related teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing.”.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the CM and assured the deployment of central assistance; he directed ITBP and NDRF teams to move immediately to the scene.
Natural Causes & Climate Risk in Uttarakhand
- A cloudburst is an intense, short-lived rainfall event that can deposit over 100 mm of rain within an hour, especially common in orographic mountainous zones like Uttarakhand.
- Experts caution that the region’s increasing vulnerability to such flash floods is linked to climate change, unplanned development along riverbanks, and shrinking forest cover.
Lessons & Precautions for Future
- Frequent early‑warning systems and real‑time rainfall monitoring could help prevent tragedies in high-risk zones.
- Restricting development immediately adjacent to fast‑flowing mountain streams and mandating flood‑resilient building codes may reduce future loss.
- Enhancing community-based disaster preparedness and conducting evacuation drills for remote villages like Dharali are essential.
The Uttarkashi cloudburst flash flood has wrought tragic loss: four lives lost, dozens missing, and entire sections of Dharali erased within seconds. Rescue operations are ongoing amid challenging terrain and shifting weather. This calamity is a vivid reminder of Uttarakhand’s fragile alpine ecosystems and the urgent need for enhanced disaster resilience.
