Heavy Rains Likely in Uttarkashi's Dharali After Cloudburst Kills 4; Rescue Ops May Be Hit

In view of the weather warnings, district administrations in Pauri Garhwal, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar have ordered the closure of all schools on August 6.

A visual from Uttarkashi's Dharali after the cloudburst on Tuesday.

Source : PTI

Heavy rains are likely to lash Uttarkashi's Dharali on Wednesday after a cloudburst claimed four lives. Over 130 people were rescued while several people were feared buried under the debris. 

The weather department has warned of thunderstorms, lightning, and intense rainfall in several hilly regions of the state. There is little chance of weather relief in the affected areas.

An orange alert for heavy rain has been issued for seven districts: Nainital, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Bageshwar, Pauri, Tehri, Haridwar, and Dehradun.

If weather conditions permit, Indian Air Force helicopters will be deployed for rescue and relief work.

See how quickly the debris flow of the flashflood overwhelms the retaining walls put up on the Kheer Ganga rivulet bed. People of Dharali, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand were living with a false sense of security. Horrific footage.pic.twitter.com/nEXAFI09sJ

— Anand Sankar (@kalapian_) August 5, 2025

Schools Closed In Three Uttarakhand Districts

In view of the weather warnings, district administrations in Pauri Garhwal, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar have ordered the closure of all schools (Classes 1–12) and Anganwadi centres on August 6.

Pauri Garhwal District Magistrate Swati S Bhadauria said that given the IMD alert for lightning and heavy rainfall, all government, semi-government, and private schools and Anganwadi centres in the district will remain closed on August 6 as a precautionary measure.

Champawat DM Manish Kumar cited continuous rain and rising water levels in rivers and streams as the reason behind the school closures under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Udham Singh Nagar DM Nitin Bhadauria also issued closure orders in light of IMD forecasts of heavy rain and thunderstorms until August 9. Rivers are expected to swell due to persistent rainfall.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and urge residents to stay alert and follow official advisories.