The Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating flash flood that struck on August 5, 2025. Triggered by intense rainfall in the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, the flood swept through the Dharali village, a key stopover on the pilgrim route to Gangotri, causing widespread destruction and claiming several lives. Rescue operations are underway, but face significant challenges due to inclement weather and damaged infrastructure.
The Disaster and its Impact
The flash flood in Dharali resulted in at least five fatalities, with initial reports indicating that over 50 people are still missing. The deluge of water and debris damaged or destroyed numerous buildings, including homes, hotels, and shops in the Dharali market area. The Harsil Army camp was also affected, with some army personnel among those missing. The floodwaters, carrying a large amount of debris and mud, tore through the village and surrounding areas. The Rishikesh-Uttarkashi Highway has been severely impacted, slowing down rescue operations. A portion of a road collapsed at Maniri in Uttarkashi.
Rescue Efforts
A multi-agency rescue operation is in full swing, involving the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). The Indian Army has deployed over 225 personnel, including infantry and engineering teams, to assist in search, rescue, and relief tasks. Army tracker dogs, drones, and earthmoving equipment have also been deployed for evacuation and providing essential supplies. The Indian Air Force has kept its MI-17 and Chinook helicopters on standby to assist rescue operations. Combat engineers have reached Dharali to aid in clearing debris and restoring mobility.
Despite these efforts, rescue operations are being hampered by heavy rainfall, landslides, and damaged roads. Landslides have blocked the Rishikesh-Uttarkashi highway, preventing the arrival of additional NDRF teams. A bridge over the Limaccha River on the Gangotri National Highway was also swept away, further hindering rescue efforts. Authorities are working to create an alternative route to reach the inaccessible areas of Dharali, Harsil, and Sukhi Top. So far, around 190 people have been rescued from the affected areas.
Cause of the Flash Flood
While initial reports suggested a cloudburst as the primary cause of the flash flood, some experts believe that the amount of rainfall recorded in Uttarkashi on Tuesday was not sufficient to be classified as a cloudburst. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cloudburst is defined as rainfall of 100 mm or more in an hour over a roughly 10 km x 10 km area. The IMD's data indicated that Uttarkashi received only 2.7 mm of rain on Tuesday.
Other possible causes being explored include a glacial avalanche, a rock fall, or a landslide that mobilized moraine deposits in the narrow stream. Satellite images have been requested from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to ascertain the exact cause of the disaster. Continuous rainfall over the past few days, combined with the region's fragile topography, may have also contributed to the mudslides and flash floods. Climate change-induced intense rainfall and accelerated glacier melting could have further worsened the situation.
Ongoing Challenges
The rescue teams are working with courage and determination, but face numerous challenges. The region is currently cut off from both north and south due to multiple road breaches and a collapsed bridge. Communication networks have also been disrupted, making it difficult to coordinate rescue efforts. The IMD has issued warnings for heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand, particularly in the hill districts, which could further impede rescue operations.
