DEHRADUN: A devastating flash flood, triggered by a cloudburst in the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, swept through Dharali village in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand on Tuesday, causing large-scale destruction.
The village, a significant stop on the yatra route to Gangotri Dham, bore the brunt of nature’s fury as rising waters inundated homes and public infrastructure.
The sudden surge in the Kheer Ganga in the Harsil area led to widespread damage across Dharali.
Visuals on social and mainstream media from the site showed torrents of muddy water ripping through the village, sweeping away houses, shops, roads, hotels, and vehicles, and leaving behind heaps of debris and sludge.
Rescue and relief efforts were immediately launched by multiple agencies, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Army, and the local administration.
Teams from Harsil and Bhatwari were rushed to the scene, and rescue personnel were seen navigating through rubble and broken structures in search of survivors, media reported.
Initial reports suggest that several hotels and homestays have been completely washed away.
The village is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri, from where the Ganga originates
Four deaths have so far been confirmed in the flash flood, which followed a cloudburst. Around 130 people have been evacuated to safety.
Not a single body has yet been retrieved from the rubble.
The Indian Army has deployed its MI-17 and Chinook helicopters to look for the stranded.
At least 60 people are said to have gone missing, but the number is likely higher, as many had gathered for the Har Dudh fair in Dharali village when the tragedy struck.
The Meteorological Department has forecast continued heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand till August 10, particularly in the hill districts.
Authorities have been put on high alert, with disaster management teams stationed at vulnerable locations and warnings issued to residents and travellers along yatra routes.
As the state grapples with the aftermath, the restoration of road connectivity, power supply, and communication lines remains a major challenge.
Officials have urged caution and advised against unnecessary travel in rain-hit regions as the risk of further landslides and flash floods remains high.
