At least four people have lost their lives and several others are feared trapped under debris after a cloudburst led to flash floods in Dharali, a high-altitude village on the way to Gangotri in Uttarakhand, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The flash floods, reportedly triggered by a cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga river catchment, swept away numerous houses and possibly over 20 hotels and homestays, said local resident Rajesh Panwar, speaking to news agency PTI. Dharali, a key stopover en route to the Gangotri shrine, is home to several tourist establishments and local residences.
Uttarakhand government told ANI that teams of the Army, ITBP, NDRF and SDRF have rescued 130 people.
Army, SDRF, NDRF Join Rescue Efforts
Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed the fatalities and said that rescue operations are underway, with an Indian Army team from Harsil deployed to the site. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and district administration were carrying out relief and rescue operations “on a war footing”.
‘Everything Is Finished’, Locals Say Amid Panic
Videos shared from the flood-hit region showed torrents of muddy water and debris surging down mountain slopes, engulfing settlements along the riverbanks. Panic gripped nearby villages as terrified voices could be heard in the footage, with many residents crying out for their loved ones.
In one of the videos, a person can be heard saying, “You can’t even tell this was once a village… there used to be a market here — it’s all been destroyed...”
PM Modi, Union Ministers Extend Support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to those affected and said he had spoken with Chief Minister Dhami to get updates on the situation.
In a post in Hindi, PM Modi stated, “I express my condolences to those affected by the tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. I also wish for the well-being of all the victims. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and taken stock of the situation. Under the supervision of the state government, relief and rescue teams are making every possible effort. No effort is being spared to reach help to the people.”
Chief Minister Dhami also wrote about the phone conversation, stating on X, “Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji took information about the unfortunate incident of the cloudburst in Dharali (Uttarkashi) over phone. He was briefed about the relief and rescue efforts being carried out by the state government, SDRF, Army, and other teams. The Prime Minister has assured every possible assistance from the central government.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also took to social media platform X, posting, “Have been seeing disturbing visuals from Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) on the devastation caused by flash floods. Praying for the well-being of the people affected by the tragedy. The Centre and the State Government are working in tandem, taking all possible measures to save precious lives.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he had spoken to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami about the flash flood incident. “Three nearest teams of ITBP have been sent there, along with four NDRF teams that have been dispatched and will soon reach the site to begin rescue operations,” he posted in Hindi.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed concern over the incident as he wrote, "The devastation caused by the cloudburst in Dharali (Uttarkashi), Uttarakhand, is extremely heart-wrenching. Many people have lost their lives, and many are missing. Homes have been completely destroyed. I express my deep condolences to those affected by this horrific tragedy and pray for the safe return of those who are missing. I appeal to the government and administration to expedite relief and rescue operations and, if needed, deploy additional NDRF teams for assistance."
MP Rahul Gandhi echoed his party chief's remarks as he stated, "The news of many deaths and several others missing due to the severe devastation caused by a cloudburst in Dharali, Uttarakhand, is extremely sad and concerning. I express my deepest condolences to the affected families and hope for the swift recovery of those who are missing. I appeal to the administration to expedite relief and rescue operations.
He appealed to Congress leaders and workers to cooperate with the administration in relief efforts "and provide all possible assistance to those in need."
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami over the phone. CM Yogi expressed condolences to the victim families. CM assured CM Dhami of all possible help, as per the UP Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
Indian Army Continues Evacuation, Treatment
Indian Army officials said that soldiers continue to carry out relief operations. “Eight to ten Indian Army soldiers are reported missing in the lower Harsil area from a camp,” said Army officials, as per ANI.
A 16-member Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) unit from the 12th Battalion stationed at Matli has reached the affected region, and another unit of equal strength has been dispatched, according to officials.
In a related development, the Uttarakhand government has deployed three IAS officers in Uttarkashi district to oversee disaster response efforts until further notice, ANI reported.
CM Dhami Reviews Situation, Schools Closed in Pauri
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held an emergency meeting with senior officials at the State Disaster Operations Centre in Dehradun to assess the ongoing crisis.
“Arrived at the disaster control room in Dehradun to gather information about the situation arising due to the cloudburst in Dharali (Uttarkashi) and directed the administration to conduct relief and rescue operations in the affected areas on a war footing. A district-level emergency control room has been established in Uttarkashi, and a team of specialist doctors has been dispatched to the incident site. Instructions have been given to the administration to remain on 24-hour alert mode to evacuate the affected to safe locations, provide necessary medical and relief materials, ensure better treatment for the injured, and extend all possible assistance to them,” he said in a post on X.
“Orders have been issued to keep the 108 ambulance service on high alert in the areas around Dharali and to immediately cancel the leaves of all medical officers and staff. Full cooperation from the central government is being received for relief and rescue operations. During this time, instructions were also given to officials to ensure that all relevant helpline numbers remain active 24 hours. The weather department has issued a warning of heavy rainfall in several areas of the state. In light of this, I request all of you to avoid unnecessary travel until the weather normalizes. Your safety is our topmost priority. Please stay vigilant and follow the guidelines issued by the administration,” he added.
As a precautionary measure, all government and private schools, including Anganwadi centres in Uttarakhand’s Pauri district, will remain shut on August 6, 2025, following heavy rain alerts, according to the District Disaster Management Authority.