A cloudburst-triggered flash flood ravaged Dharali village in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, on Tuesday, leaving at least five people dead and over 100 missing, including at least eight soldiers from a nearby army base.
The sudden surge of muddy water and debris, caused by intense monsoon rains, swept through the village around 1:30 PM, submerging roads, homes, and businesses in its path.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reported that approximately 190 people have been rescued so far, with rescue operations ongoing despite challenging conditions.
Heavy rainfall and damaged infrastructure are severely hampering rescue efforts in Dharali, a popular stopover for pilgrims en route to Gangotri.
Blocked roads, collapsed bridges, and large boulders obstruct access to the village, while communication lines remain disrupted, forcing rescue teams to rely on satellite phones.
The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local authorities have deployed over 150 personnel, drones, tracker dogs, and heavy equipment to locate those still unaccounted for, with helicopters on standby to deliver aid.
The floods have blocked parts of the Bhagirathi River, forming an artificial lake that threatens downstream towns if not drained quickly.
Hydrologist Manish Shrestha noted that the 270mm of rainfall in 24 hours qualifies as an “extreme event,” potentially worsened by climate change and unregulated development in the region.
India’s Meteorological Department has issued warnings of continued heavy rain, raising concerns about further landslides and flooding in Uttarakhand, a region prone to such disasters.