Dehradun: At least four people have died and scores are feared trapped under debris after a cloudburst triggered a mudslide and flash floods that swept through Dharali village in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday afternoon.
Residents were caught by surprise, as scary visuals and videos from Dharali village show a massive stream of water gushing towards buildings in the catchment area of Kheer Ganga river.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel, along with local police and administration, launched a massive rescue and evacuation process, which has been slowed down by the harsh weather at night.
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उत्तरकाशी, हर्षिल क्षेत्र में खीर गाड़ का जलस्तर बढने से धराली में नुकसान होने की सूचना पर पुलिस, SDRF, आर्मी आदि आपदा दल मौके पर राहत एवं बचाव कार्य में जुटे हैं।
उक्त घटना को देखते हुए सभी नदी से उचित दूरी बनायें। स्वयं, बच्चों व मवेशियों को नदी से उचित दूरी पर ले जायें। pic.twitter.com/tAICzWQUzc
— Uttarkashi Police Uttarakhand (@UttarkashiPol) August 5, 2025
Rescue operations were also hampered after a helipad built on the river bank in Harsil Valley was swept away, and helicopters couldn’t be operated for rescue and relief work.
According to Arpan Yaduvanshi, Commander, SDRF, 70-80 people have been rescued till evening and shifted to safe spots in Gangotri.
Swift & coordinated response by #ITBP and other agencies in Dharali flash floods: 37 villagers (22 men, 11 women & 4 children) rescued and safely evacuated to ITBP BOP Kopang, where immediate first aid was provided. #Himveers#RescueOperation pic.twitter.com/Pkt7lvGaVA
— ITBP (@ITBP_official) August 5, 2025
Among those missing in flood-hit Dharali are 9 Army personnel, including one junior commissioned officer (JCO).
The flash floods and mudslide affected an army camp, with one soldier being injured.
The commanding officer and soldiers of the Army’s 14 Rajrif unit are engaged in relief and rescue work.
Uttarakhand has been experiencing heavy rain and major rivers, including the Ganga in Haridwar, are in spate.
The Met office has issued a ‘red’ alert, warning of extremely heavy rainfall in the hill state over the next two days, and a ‘yellow’ alert for heavy rainfall throughout the week.
Schools have been closed for three days as per the local administration’s direction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home minister Amit Shah are in touch with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and said all possible efforts are being made to help affected people.
