4 Dead, Several Missing as Flash Floods Devastate Dharali Village in Uttarakhand
A devastating cloudburst triggered massive flash floods in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, claiming at least four lives and leaving several others, including 11 Indian Army personnel, missing. The high-altitude village of Dharali, located near the sacred Gangotri region, bore the brunt of the disaster.
Flash Floods After Cloudburst
The cloudburst occurred around 1:45 PM, just 4 km from the Indian Army’s Harshil base camp. Two separate cloudbursts — one in Dharali and another in the Sukhi Top area — triggered widespread destruction. Mudslides further worsened the situation.
Dramatic visuals showed raging torrents of water sweeping away homes, hotels, restaurants, shops, vehicles, and trees, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Before-and-after images revealed that entire sections of Dharali, once densely built-up and forested, have now been reduced to rubble and sludge.
Casualties and Missing
- 4 deaths have been confirmed.
- At least 130 people have been rescued so far.
- 11 Army personnel remain missing.
Army Personnel Among Missing
The Defence PRO confirmed that 11 soldiers from the Indian Army’s Ibex Brigade were unaccounted for after the flash flood. Despite the Army’s base also being heavily damaged and communication lines severed, rescue teams are continuing their mission with “unwavering determination”.
Additional Army columns have been mobilised to bolster ongoing operations.
Rescue Operations in Full Swing
The rescue and relief operations are being carried out jointly by:
- Indian Army
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has stationed helicopters — Chinook, Mi-17 V5, ALH, and Cheetah — at Chandigarh, ready to deploy once weather conditions improve.
Senior IAS and police officers have been sent to coordinate on the ground, and attempts to restore disrupted services like electricity, road access, and internet connectivity are underway.
Colonel Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 Rajput Rifles, is personally leading 150 troops in ongoing rescue operations despite facing logistical challenges and the loss of fellow soldiers.
CM Dhami, PM Modi React
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami cut short his Andhra Pradesh visit and rushed to Dehradun, where he is monitoring operations from the State Emergency Operation Centre. He said restoring electricity and communication is being pursued on a “war footing.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and solidarity via X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. I have spoken to Chief Minister Dhami and assured all central assistance. No stone is being left unturned in relief efforts.”
Ongoing Weather Concerns
With rains continuing to lash several parts of the state, the IMD (India Meteorological Department) has forecast more heavy rainfall, particularly in the hilly districts.
Due to the risk of further landslides and flash floods:
- All schools, private institutions, and aanganwadis in Uttarkashi were ordered shut on Wednesday.
- Loudspeaker announcements urged villagers in vulnerable zones to evacuate immediately and stay away from riverbanks.
- Police in Haridwar have warned pilgrims and locals to avoid Ganga ghats amid rising water levels.
Train services on the Haridwar-Dehradun route were also disrupted temporarily due to a boulder on the track between Haridwar and Motichur, with authorities working to restore normalcy swiftly.
The Uttarakhand government, armed forces, and emergency teams remain on high alert, battling tough terrain and relentless rains in a race against time to locate the missing and restore safety in the devastated Dharali region.
