The Nautiyal family had lived in Dharali for generations. Their modest stone-and-wood home overlooked the Bhagirathi River, with the sacred Kalp Kedar temple just a short walk away. On the morning of August 5, 2025, life was routine — until the sky darkened and a strange roar rose from the valley.
The Moment the Flood Struck
Harish Nautiyal, a local priest, was returning from morning prayers when he heard what sounded like thunder — but louder, angrier. He looked up to see a 60-foot wall of sludge, boulders, and water racing towards the village.
In those three minutes of chaos, Harish pulled his elderly mother and two children into a neighbor’s upper-floor storeroom. From a small window, he filmed the terrifying scene — the river tearing through houses, the centuries-old Kalp Kedar temple crumbling into muddy water, and people screaming as debris crushed everything in its path.
“It felt like the earth had come alive to swallow us,” Harish later said.
Aftermath: Loss and Desperation
When the waters receded, half the village was gone. The Nautiyals’ home had vanished. Their neighbor, who had helped them moments earlier, was among the at least four confirmed dead. Many others — friends, shopkeepers, farmers — were missing, swallowed by the flood.
Helicopters circled overhead, but bad weather delayed air rescues for two days. Harish and his family survived on dry biscuits, sharing with other stranded villagers while sleeping on the cold floor of a partially damaged building.
Rescue and Rebuilding
Finally, an Indian Army helicopter landed on a makeshift clearing, lifting the Nautiyals and dozens of others to safety. Over 600 people were evacuated from Dharali that week, using a combination of airlifts and dangerous ground routes.
Meanwhile, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) worked around the clock to rebuild a 90-foot Bailey bridge, restoring a crucial road link for relief materials. Community kitchens fed more than 1,600 people daily, and injured villagers were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh.
A Changed Landscape
Satellite images from ISRO later revealed something shocking — the Bhagirathi River had changed course, returning to an old channel, while the Kheer Gad tributary widened dangerously. Geologists warned of long-term erosion risks, meaning Dharali’s tragedy could be just the beginning.
For the Nautiyals, the flood took more than their home — it erased their past. “The temple where I prayed every day is gone,” Harish said quietly. “But my family is alive. That is my new temple now.”
FAQ
Q1. What caused the Dharali flash floods in August 2025?
The Dharali flash floods were triggered on August 5, 2025, by a sudden cloudburst or ice-rock avalanche in the upper Himalayan region, leading to a massive surge in the Bhagirathi River and its tributaries.
Q2. How many people were affected by the Dharali floods?
At least four people lost their lives, around 100 were reported missing, and over 600 residents and tourists were evacuated from the flood-hit areas.
Q3. Was the Kalp Kedar temple destroyed in the Dharali floods?
Yes. The centuries-old Kalp Kedar temple, a revered Shiva shrine believed to date back to the Pandavas, was completely swept away by the floodwaters.
Q4. What rescue efforts took place in Dharali after the floods?
The Indian Army, NDRF, and SDRF carried out rescue missions using helicopters and ground teams. A 90-foot Bailey bridge was built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to restore road access for relief materials.
Q5. Did the Dharali floods change the course of the Bhagirathi River?
Yes. Satellite images from ISRO showed that the Bhagirathi River and the Kheer Gad tributary changed course, raising long-term concerns about erosion and future flooding.
