A cloudburst in the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga River in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district triggered catastrophic flash floods in Dharali village on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The flash floods have resulted in at least four fatalities, with many more feared missing. Initial reports suggest dozens are still missing and possibly trapped under debris.
Dharali, a village en route to Gangotri Dham, has suffered widespread destruction, with homes, shops, and infrastructure washed away by the surging floodwaters. Police confirmed the Kheer Gadh river's rising level caused severe damage. Dramatic visuals showed muddy water torrents roaring through the village streets, demolishing buildings and forcing residents to scramble for safety. Preliminary estimates suggest that approximately 20 to 25 hotels and homestays have been completely destroyed. One local resident told PTI that around 10 to 12 people could be buried under the debris.
Rescue operations were launched immediately, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and local administration working to locate survivors and clear debris. The Uttarakhand government reported that 130 people have been successfully evacuated. However, rescue efforts have been hampered by continuous heavy rainfall and landslides obstructing access to the affected areas. The State Emergency Operation Centre has requested the Indian Air Force to provide aerial support. Two Boeing CH-47 Chinooks, two Mil Mi-17s, an Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama and a HAL Dhruv of the Indian Air Force were placed on standby, though poor weather hampered rescue operations. A helipad in the Harsil Valley was also swept away in the flash flood, further complicating rescue efforts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of continued heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand, particularly in the hilly regions, until August 10. Authorities have urged residents and tourists to exercise caution and avoid areas prone to flooding or landslides. Schools and colleges have been ordered to shut down as emergency operations continue.
Uttarkashi magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed the four deaths and stated that crews are still assessing the extent of the damage. Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that people were being evacuated to safer places and the situation is being constantly monitored. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and assured that "no stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people".
This extreme weather event is the latest in a series of cloudbursts and flash floods to hit Uttarakhand in recent years. A similar incident occurred near the Yamunotri National Highway in June 2025, resulting in casualties and infrastructure damage. In August 2024, a devastating cloudburst hit the Kedarnath Valley, causing flash floods and landslides. These events highlight the increasing vulnerability of the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region to climate change and extreme weather.
