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4 killed, over 100 missing as twin cloudbursts trigger massive flash flood in Uttarkashi; rescue ops underway

Statesman News Service

At least four people were killed and over 100 others were missing after a massive cloudburst triggered a landslide and flash flood in Dharali village of Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday. The cloudburst that struck on the hilltop above the Kheer Ganga river caused widespread devastation as several houses, hotels, and buildings were swept away in the flash flood.

Mohsen Shahedi, DIG, NDRF told ANI, “The incident took place around 2 PM in Harsil town. Three teams of NDRF were sent to the spot, and they will reach the spot soon. There are 35 members in each team, and they are well-equipped to rescue the people trapped there. According to the initial reports, around 40-50 houses have been washed away, and more than 50 people are missing… A large-scale rescue operation will have to be carried out there…”

Brigadier Mandeep Dhillon, Brigade Commander, told ANI that till now, around 20 villagers have been rescued, and the injured are getting treatment.

“Today, at about 1345 hours, a mudslide and a cloudburst hit Dharali village. The Indian Army column located at Harshil Post was the first to respond and reach the village within 10 minutes, and commence rescue operations,” he told ANI.

“The column has about 150 personnel with specialised medical equipment, rescue equipment and doctors and is engaged in rescuing the villagers. Till now, around 20 villagers have been rescued, and the injured are getting treatment. Subsequently, another mudslide and cloudburst hit the Army camp in Harshil…” he added.

Indian Army personnel launched rescue operations following a landslide near Dharali village, about 4 km from the Army Camp in Harshil, around 1:45 PM today. So far, 15 to 20 people have been safely evacuated, and those injured are being treated at the Army’s medical facility in Harshil. Search and rescue operations are still underway.

Another cloudburst struck in Sukhi Top near Dharali

Another cloudburst struck Sukhi Top near Dharali in Uttarkashi district, triggering flash floods and landslides in the region. The sudden downpour caused debris and mud to flow onto roads, disrupting connectivity and hampering rescue efforts. Authorities have rushed teams to assess the damage and ensure the safety of residents and pilgrims, as the area lies close to key routes leading to Gangotri.

PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah express condolences 

PM Modi expressed condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. He stated that he had spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and took stock of the situation.

Taking to X, PM Modi said, “I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. Along with this, I pray for the well-being of all the victims. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami ji and obtained information about the situation. Under the supervision of the state government, relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort. No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people.”


Meanwhile Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took stock of the situation. Shah informed via X that ITBP and NDRF teams had been dispatched to the site.

PM Modi expresses condolences over Uttarakhand tragedy, assures government support

“Spoke with the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand regarding the flash flood incident in Dharali (Uttarkashi) to gather information about the event. Three nearby ITBP teams have been sent there, and four NDRF teams have also been dispatched to the site, which will soon arrive and engage in rescue operations,” Shah said in the tweet.

 

Videos have captured a massive water stream flowing down from a hill towards the Dharali village following the cloudburst. The Dharali market area, located en route to Gangotri in Uttarkashi, was flooded following the incident.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the situation was being monitored continuously, and that teams of the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and the district administration were at the spot carrying out rescue operations in the affected areas.

“Relief and rescue operations are underway by the district administration, Indian Army, NDRF, and SDRF teams in the affected areas of Dharali (Uttarkashi). People are being evacuated to safe locations on a priority basis, and the situation is being continuously monitored. The administration is fully alert and providing all possible assistance to the affected citizens,” CM Dhami said.

The Indian Army said that it has mobilised 150 personnel, who reached the spot within 10 minutes. So far, the Army has evacuated 15-20 individuals and shifted the injured to its medical facility in Harshil.

“A landslide occurred near Dharali village, approximately 4 km from the Indian Army Camp at Harshil, at around 1:45 PM today. Responding with urgency, the Indian Army mobilised 150 personnel who reached the site within 10 minutes and immediately commenced rescue operations. So far, 15–20 individuals have been successfully evacuated, with the injured receiving prompt medical treatment at the Indian Army medical facility in Harshil. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with all available resources being deployed to locate and evacuate any remaining stranded persons. The situation is under continuous monitoring, and the Indian Army remains fully committed to providing all possible assistance to the affected civilians,” the Indian Army said in a statement.

Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, RK Sudhanshu, said that there is a possibility of loss of life and property, and an assessment is being done.

“The District Magistrate and SP have both left for the spot. There is a possibility of loss of life and property. We have sent SDRF as well as NDRF, and we are doing an assessment first, and as soon as we come to know the level of damage, action will be taken accordingly…,” Sudhanshu said.

Commissioner Garhwal Mandal, Vinay Shankar Pandey said, “According to the latest information, a lot of property has been damaged and it is not possible to say anything about the casualties right now. Our army team, which is in Harsil, has reached the spot. Along with this, the District Magistrate, SSP, is also going to reach there. NDRF, SDRF have also been moved there. The first priority is to rescue the people. For this, the entire team of the Health Department have all been activated…Arrangements for all these things are being made.”

Before-and-after images show scale of destruction

Just hours after a deadly cloudburst struck Uttarakhand’s Harsil village, stark before-and-after images surfaced online, capturing the extent of the devastation. The “before” image depicted a serene Himalayan village with clearly visible roads and houses nestled amid greenery. In sharp contrast, the “after” image showed the entire landscape submerged in water, with no trace of habitation—only a muddy torrent engulfing the area. The natural disaster, which struck without warning, has left the village completely cut off, with rescue efforts underway.

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