At least four people are dead, and dozens, including Army personnel, are feared missing after a devastating cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on August 5 (Tuesday). The extensive rescue and relief operations have entered their second day, as teams battle challenging conditions to reach affected areas.
The cloudburst struck Dharali village in the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, unleashing a massive surge of water and debris that swept through the high-altitude settlement. Terrifying visuals from the scene show torrents of muddy water engulfing homes, hotels, and shops, with residents seen fleeing in panic. Officials estimate that around 20 to 25 hotels and homestays may have been completely destroyed.
The Indian Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have mobilised extensive resources for the search and rescue mission. Army personnel, including the Ibex Brigade and 14 RAJRIF, are actively involved, using heavy machinery, drones, and helicopters to clear debris and locate survivors. So far, over 130 people have been rescued and provided with initial aid.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has confirmed that the situation is being closely monitored and that relief operations are underway “on a war footing.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also spoken with the Chief Minister, assuring full central support for the ongoing efforts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Uttarakhand until August 10 (Saturday), forecasting continued heavy rainfall in the hilly regions, which raises concerns about further landslides and flash floods. Connectivity to some areas, including the Uttarkashi-Harsil road, has been severely impacted by the landslides, hindering rescue efforts.
