Flashflood fury in Uttarkashi; 4 dead, scores missing

A massive cloudburst triggered a devastating flashflood in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, sweeping away the entire Dharali village and leaving scores feared dead or missing, in what is emerging as one of the worst natural disasters in the state – at least since the 2013 cloudburst in Kedarnath.

Dharali is the main stopover on way to Gangotri and home to many hotels, restaurants and home stays.

Grim history of disasters

The latest tragedy adds to Uttarakhand’s history of calamities, from the 2013 Kedarnath floods to the 2021 Chamoli glacier burst

The 2013 Kedarnath disaster, country’s worst since the 2004 tsunami, killed over 5,700 as heavy rains melted the Chorabari glacier, wiping out villages

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In 2021, a Chamoli glacier burst triggered a deadly avalanche of ice and rock, killing 72 and leaving 200 missing, exposing the region’s fragility

At least four confirmed deaths were reported till late evening, while nine Army soldiers are reported missing in the lower Harsil area from an Army camp. The authorities said the toll was expected to rise sharply as mud, debris and collapsed buildings were cleared.

An eyewitness video captured the horrifying moments, showing an unstoppable surge of muddy river tearing through the market and residential areas of Dharali village. People were seen running helter-skelter to escape the gushing waters but were unfortunately swept away.

The disaster struck at 1.45 pm when a cloudburst and subsequent flashflood caused a sudden rise in the water level of the Kheer Ganga rivulet near Bhatwadi tehsil, unleashing a torrent of debris, boulders and water. The deluge destroyed hotels, shops and houses in Dharali, located barely 4 km from the strategic Army base at Harshil. Locals said a large portion of the Dharali market was washed away.

In a swift response, 150 Army personnel were mobilised and reached the site within 10 minutes, rescuing around 15-20 people. The injured were rushed to an Army medical facility in Harshil. The NDRF, SDRF, ITBP and local police also joined forces in the round-the-clock relief effort.

A senior ITBP officer confirmed that 37 villagers (22 men, 11 women and four children) were rescued in coordination with other agencies and safely evacuated to ITBP’s Border Outpost in Kopang.

According to SDRF officials, beds were reserved at AIIMS-Dehradun and ambulances were rushed to the site. The IAF has been put on alert for aerial reconnaissance and possible evacuations.

The flashflood also formed a temporary lake on the Bhagirathi river near Harshil, posing a major risk of another flood in low-lying areas. The Uttarkashi police issued an advisory urging residents near the river to evacuate immediately.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a high-level meeting with senior officials and rescue agencies at the State Disaster Operations Centre in Dehradun to assess the situation.

Brigadier Mandeep Dhillon, posted at the Army brigade in Joshimath, said the mudslide and cloudburst also struck the Army camp and a portion of rescue columns. “Despite this, the Army is resolute in carrying out the rescue operation and assist the local populace,” he said.

As night fell, rescue operations continued under searchlights and the true scale of the disaster was only beginning to emerge. Multiple ITBP rescue teams, equipped with mountaineering gear and life-saving equipment, were seen combing through the debris for survivors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep anguish over the tragedy and said he had spoken to CM Dhami to take stock of the situation. “I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali. Relief and rescue efforts are underway and no stone is being left unturned,” the PM said in a post on X.

CM Dhami emphasised close coordination between state and central forces, prioritising rescue and immediate relief.

With continuous rainfall in the region, the state police issued an urgent advisory warning residents and tourists to stay away from rivers and streams, particularly along the Bhagirathi.