Cloudburst havoc in Uttarakhand: Dharali village swept away, dozens missing

TNR News Network
A devastating series of cloudbursts struck Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, unleashing flash floods and landslides that ravaged the high-altitude village of Dharali in the Kheer Ganga valley. The disaster has claimed at least four lives, with over 50 people feared missing and dozens of homes, hotels, and shops reduced to rubble.

The cloudburst occurred around 1:45 PM in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, triggering a violent surge of water and debris that tore through the pilgrim route to Gangotri Dham. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as torrents of muddy water swept away entire buildings, leaving residents scrambling for safety. Social media was flooded with chilling visuals of villagers screaming and rushing to higher ground.

Rescue operations are underway, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Indian Army’s Ibex Brigade deployed to the disaster site. Authorities fear that 10–12 people may be trapped under debris, and preliminary estimates suggest that 20–25 hotels and homestays have been destroyed.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow and assured that relief efforts are being conducted on a war footing. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has pledged full support from the Centre, directing emergency teams to the affected region.

With the India Meteorological Department warning of continued heavy rainfall until August 10, officials have urged locals and tourists to avoid flood-prone and landslide-prone areas. The tragedy underscores the growing vulnerability of Himalayan regions to extreme weather events, raising urgent questions about climate resilience and disaster preparedness.