What Happened & Immediate Fallout
On August 5, 2025, at around 1:45 PM in Uttarkashi district’s Dharali village, a sudden cloudburst triggered flash floods and a massive landslide in the Kheer Ganga catchment area. The torrent swept away homes, hotels, shops, and roads, leaving behind sheer destruction. Initial reports confirm at least four fatalities, with dozens feared trapped and around 100 still missing. Rescue teams are racing against time.
Officials note the storm’s intensity—a usual rainfall event dubbed “cloudburst”—dumped over 210 mm in just 24 hours, unleashing rapid flooding in this fragile Himalayan region.
Rescue Operations in Action
Authorities from the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and local district teams responded swiftly. Rescue efforts have:
-
Evacuated over 200 people
-
Deployed helicopter operations, including Chinooks and Mi‑17s, though hampered by adverse weather
-
Activated emergency shelters and helplines
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah pledged full support, while CM Pushkar Singh Dhamiconfirmed relief efforts are underway on a “war footing.”
Health and Infrastructure Alert
The Uttarakhand Health Department has issued an alert, dispatching medical teams to the worst-hit zones. Hospitals near Harsil are on high readiness to handle casualties.
Meanwhile, connectivity to Gangotri Dham has been severed as roadways are washed out and debris blocks access routes.
Why It Matters & What Comes Next
Dharali, positioned on the pilgrimage route to Gangotri, is notoriously prone to natural disasters. The geography—steep slopes, deforestation, uncontrolled hill-side development—makes cloudbursts extremely dangerous. This event echoes the calamitous 2013 Kedarnath floods, underscoring the rising threat of intense weather in the Himalayas.
Authorities are already on high alert as IMD predicts continued heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand through mid‑August.
Quick Track Summary
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Cloudburst-triggered flash flood in Dharali |
| Date & Time | August 5, around 1:45 PM |
| Casualties | At least 4 dead, ~100 missing |
| Rescue Teams | Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, local responders |
| Terrain Challenges | Landslides, broken roads, ongoing rain |
| Health Response | Emergency teams mobilized |
| Infrastructure Impact | Over 20 hotels, many homes washed away |
| Weather Outlook | Heavy rain expected – risk remains high |