A cloudburst in the high-altitude village of Dharali, located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India, has triggered devastating flash floods, leaving many feared trapped. The incident occurred on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, causing widespread destruction and prompting large-scale rescue operations.

Reports indicate that the cloudburst took place in the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, leading to a sudden surge of water that swept through Dharali. Houses, hotels, shops, and other infrastructure have been severely damaged or completely washed away by the raging waters. Preliminary information suggests that several hotels and homestays have been completely destroyed, and locals fear that 10 to 12 laborers may be trapped under the debris.

At least four fatalities have been confirmed, and there are fears that the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue. Many people are reportedly missing after being swept away by the floods.

Emergency response teams, including personnel from the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), have been deployed to the affected area to conduct search and rescue operations. The Indian Army stated that 150 personnel reached the site within 10 minutes of the incident and have successfully evacuated 15-20 individuals, providing medical treatment to the injured at their medical facility in Harshil.

Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed the deaths and stated that authorities are assessing the extent of damage to life and property. He also noted that the affected area houses several small guest houses, hotels, and restaurants, and rescue teams have been dispatched accordingly.

The Meteorological Department has warned of continued heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand until August 10, particularly in hilly regions, where intense downpours are expected. This raises concerns about the possibility of further landslides and flash floods in the coming days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have spoken with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to assess the situation and have assured the state government of all possible assistance from the central government. Amit Shah has directed the ITBP and NDRF to rush additional teams to the location for relief and rescue efforts.

A cloudburst is a localized weather phenomenon characterized by an extreme amount of precipitation in a short period, typically over a small area. Such events can lead to devastating flash floods and landslides, especially in mountainous regions like Uttarakhand.

The disaster has prompted authorities to issue emergency contact numbers for the Uttarkashi District Emergency Operation Centre: 01374222126, 01374222722, and 9456556431.