A tragic natural disaster unfolded in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, as a fierce cloudburst near the Kheer Ganga river basin caused flash floods and landslides that claimed at least four lives and left more than 50 missing in Dharali village. The destruction severed access to the sacred Gangotri Dham and forced large-scale rescue operations.
Tourist-shot videos captured a terrifying torrent gushing down the hills toward Dharali, washing away buildings and vegetation. Locals reported chaos and terror as houses, markets, and hotels were swept away. “Everything from hotels to markets has been destroyed… I haven’t witnessed a disaster like this before,” a witness told India Today TV.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed sorrow over the disaster, describing it as “deeply painful.” He said rescue efforts are being carried out at full scale. “The news of heavy damage caused by a cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) region is extremely sad and distressing. SDRF, NDRF, district administration, and other related teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing. In this regard, I am in constant contact with senior officials, and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to God for everyone’s safety,” Dhami wrote on X.
Eyewitness accounts and visuals on social media painted a grim picture — frantic villagers fleeing rising waters, homes submerged, and people shouting in panic. “About 10-12 people could be buried under the debris,” said Rajesh Panwar, a resident, adding that nearly 25 hotels and homestays may have been lost in the floods.
Army, SDRF Rush to Gangotri After Cloudburst Cuts Off Access
With road access to Gangotri Dham completely cut off, emergency response units rushed to the scene. Personnel from the SDRF, NDRF, and Uttarkashi Police joined forces with Indian Army troops, who were stationed close by at the Harsil base just 4 km from the affected area. The Army confirmed it deployed its Ibex Brigade immediately after the disaster. “Troops of Ibex brigade were immediately mobilised and have reached the affected site to assess the situation and undertake rescue operations,” it said. The Army added, “The Army stands resolute in support of our citizens during this natural calamity.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also responded swiftly, coordinating efforts with the state government. In a post on X, he said, “Spoke to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand regarding the flash flood incident in Dharali (Uttarkashi), Uttarakhand, and took stock of the situation. Three nearby ITBP teams have been sent to the location, and four NDRF teams have also been dispatched to the site. They will reach soon and begin rescue operations.”
The local police shared photos of the devastation and issued a public warning: “In view of this incident, everyone should maintain a safe distance from the river. Ensure that you, children, and animals are kept at a safe distance from the river,” read the advisory issued by Uttarkashi Police.
The flash floods occurred just 4 km from the Indian Army’s Harsil camp and near the revered winter home of Goddess Ganga in Mukhba village. Due to the intensity of the rainfall and landslides, communication and transport lines to Gangotri — one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites — have been entirely disrupted.
Downpour Disrupts Life in Uttarakhand, Schools Closed
Meanwhile, the wider state of Uttarakhand has been battling relentless monsoon rains. On Monday, Dehradun experienced continuous downpours that forced the closure of schools and anganwadi centers. Two people lost their lives in separate incidents in Rudraprayag district, where landslides also buried shops under rubble.
Heavy rains have caused rivers like the Ganga in Haridwar and the Levda in Udham Singh Nagar to rise dangerously. On Sunday, flooding in several low-lying villages — including Chakarpur, Barhaini, and Lakhanpur — led to widespread damage and displacement.
Neighboring Himachal Pradesh has also seen severe rain-related destruction. Over 300 roads, including a national highway, were shut on Monday alone. In Mandi, three people died when their vehicle plunged into a gorge. The Panthaghati area in Shimla suffered a major landslide, damaging shops and blocking roads.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for extremely heavy rainfall in some parts of Uttarakhand, and an ‘orange alert’ remains active in Himachal Pradesh. Official figures from Himachal confirm 103 monsoon-related deaths this season, with causes ranging from cloudbursts and landslides to flash floods and drowning. At least 36 individuals are still reported missing.
