A devastating flash flood struck the village of Dharali in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India, on August 5, 2025. Triggered by a cloudburst in the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, the deluge swept away homes, shops, and other infrastructure, leaving at least four people dead and dozens missing.

Eyewitness accounts and video footage depict a terrifying scene as a massive wave of water surged through the village,吞噬 everything in its path. Buildings were reduced to rubble, and residents were seen scrambling for their lives as the floodwaters rose rapidly. The Dharali market was completely submerged, raising fears of further casualties.

Initial reports suggest that approximately 50 hotels and 40-50 houses were either submerged or washed away. A portion of the Harsil Army camp and helipad also suffered damage from the debris flow. Nine soldiers are among the missing, while two have been rescued. In a separate incident in the Banala Patti area of Barkot tehsil, 18 goats were reportedly washed away.

Rescue operations are underway, with teams from the local police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the army involved in the search and rescue efforts. However, hostile weather conditions, including continued heavy rainfall and a second cloudburst near Suki, are hampering rescue efforts. The Indian Air Force has placed several helicopters on standby to assist in the operations, but poor weather has limited their deployment. As of August 5, 2025, ITBP has rescued 37 villagers and provided them with first aid. The Uttarakhand government said that 130 people were successfully evacuated.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely monitoring the situation and has held meetings with officials at the State Disaster Operations Centre in Dehradun. He stated that people are being evacuated to safer places and that the government is doing everything possible to provide relief. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured that no effort will be spared in assisting the affected people.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for continued heavy rainfall across the state until August 10, raising concerns about further flash floods and landslides. Authorities have urged locals and tourists to exercise caution and avoid flood-prone areas. Schools have been ordered to remain closed in several districts, including Dehradun and Haridwar.

Experts have commented on the grim chances of finding survivors, emphasizing that survival becomes increasingly challenging as time passes. The disaster has brought back memories of the devastating 2013 cloudburst in Uttarakhand, which killed over 6,000 people and affected thousands of villages. A Member of Parliament stated that the current cloudburst is even bigger than the one in 2013.

This extreme weather event highlights the vulnerability of the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region to climate change. Flash floods and landslides are increasingly common in the area, underscoring the need for better disaster preparedness and mitigation measures.