A devastating flash flood struck the village of Dharali in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on august 5, 2025, after a powerful cloudburst triggered a massive landslide. The disaster has resulted in at least four confirmed deaths, with more than 50 people reported missing and feared trapped under a deluge of mud and debris.
The flash flood, caused by a sudden and intense downpour over the Kheer Ganga river, has caused extensive damage. The torrent of water and sludge swept away homes, shops, roads, and a local market. According to initial reports, approximately a dozen hotels were washed away and several shops collapsed under the force of the floodwaters.
A major multi-agency rescue operation is underway, but efforts are being hindered by the rough terrain and adverse weather conditions. The Indian Army, stationed near the landslide site, was among the first to respond, successfully rescuing at least 15 people. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have also been mobilized to search for survivors. Authorities have requested three helicopters to assist in reaching inaccessible areas.
Prime minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah have both expressed their condolences. Mr. Shah has assured all possible assistance from the central government and has dispatched seven additional rescue teams to the affected region.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for the state, forecasting more heavy rainfall in the coming days, which could further complicate rescue efforts. As a precautionary measure, officials have ordered the closure of schools in several districts, including the state capital Dehradun and the city of Haridwar.
This tragedy highlights the growing vulnerability of the Himalayan state to extreme weather events. Experts attribute the increasing frequency of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides to a combination of climate change and unplanned development in the ecologically fragile region. Reports indicate that glaciers in the Hindu Kush and Himalayan ranges are melting at unprecedented rates, putting over 200 glacial lakes at risk of overflowing and causing further catastrophic damage.
The event has drawn grim parallels to the devastating 2013 Uttarakhand floods, which were caused by similar weather patterns and resulted in the deaths of over 6,000 people. As rescue operations continue against the clock, this latest disaster serves as another stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and climate change mitigation strategies in the region.