Uttarkashi: A devastating cloudburst over Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district triggered flash floods in the high-altitude region of Dharali on Tuesday, leaving five people dead and dozens injured. The disaster sent a powerful surge of water, mud, and debris crashing through villages along the Kheer Gad area, inflicting heavy damage on homes, homestays, and hotels—particularly in Dharali, a key stop en route to the revered Gangotri shrine.
Rescue operations led by the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have so far saved at least 190 people, including 11 Army personnel and two local residents who were airlifted from the affected area. However, rescue teams continue to face difficulties due to incessant rainfall and rough terrain along the Gangotri route.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who is camping at the disaster site to oversee relief efforts, confirmed that two bodies had been recovered—one of which has been identified. The Chief Minister also assured that every possible resource was being deployed to trace those still missing and to provide immediate relief to those affected.
Reports suggest that dozens of people remain unaccounted for, with several roads rendered inaccessible due to landslides and accumulated debris. Among the missing is a 28-member group of tourists from Kerala, raising concerns about the safety of visitors in the region.
The Indian Army has deployed over 225 personnel, including specialized infantry and engineering units, to conduct search, rescue, and relief operations in the disaster-hit zone. Despite the challenging weather, teams on the ground are working round the clock to locate survivors and provide urgent assistance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while meeting Members of Parliament from Uttarakhand at Parliament House on Wednesday, expressed deep concern over the tragedy and assured the state of full support from the central government.
This latest natural calamity has once again brought the spotlight on the vulnerability of the ecologically fragile Himalayan state to climate-induced disasters. Experts have raised alarms over the increasing frequency and intensity of such incidents, calling for urgent environmental and infrastructural assessments in the region.
As operations continue, the focus remains on locating the missing and ensuring the safety of residents and tourists trapped in the remote terrain. The state and central agencies remain on high alert as Uttarakhand grapples with the aftermath of yet another deadly flash flood.
