The recent flash flood in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, on August 5, 2025, which resulted in at least five fatalities and dozens missing, highlights the escalating climate crisis in the Himalayan region. This disaster is another addition to the more than 700 deaths recorded in the last decade due to climate-related events in Uttarakhand.
The flash flood in Uttarkashi was triggered by intense rainfall. Media reports initially pointed to a cloudburst as the cause, but scientists are exploring other possibilities, including a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), a glacier collapse, a landslide, or a combination of these factors that caused the Kheer Ganga River to overflow. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued warnings for heavy rainfall in the region until August 10. The floodwaters, laden with debris and mud, swept through the Dharali village and surrounding areas, causing widespread destruction.
Dharali, situated on the pilgrim route to Gangotri Dham, suffered significant damage. Initial reports confirmed at least five deaths, with many more feared missing. Some reports mention that over 50 people are still missing. The Indian Army is providing medical treatment to the injured at its medical facility in Harsil. Locals estimate that hundreds of people could be trapped under the debris. Houses, shops, and infrastructure were swept away by the floodwaters, submerging the Dharali market and raising fears of further casualties. Preliminary assessments suggest that at least 50 hotels were submerged or washed away, along with approximately 40–50 houses. A portion of the Harsil Army camp and helipad was also damaged.
Rescue operations were launched immediately, involving the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams. However, poor weather conditions hampered these efforts. 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.
The disaster has disrupted connectivity to Gangotri Dham, impacting the Char Dham Yatra. The IMD's forecast of continued heavy rainfall raises concerns about potential further emergencies. Officials are maintaining round-the-clock vigilance in vulnerable zones.
ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) conducted a rapid damage assessment using high-resolution satellite images. The analysis revealed widened stream channels, altered river morphology, and damage to infrastructure. A fan-shaped deposit of sediment and debris was observed at Dharali village, covering approximately 20 hectares. Several buildings were either partially or completely destroyed, likely submerged or swept away by the intense mudflow.
The Uttarkashi flash flood has brought into focus the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters in the Himalayas, driven by climate change and rapid development. A similar cloudburst in 2013 in Uttarakhand resulted in approximately 6,000 deaths. In February 2021, a glacier avalanche in Chamoli district killed over 200 people. Unseasonal rains in October 2021 caused floods and landslides that killed at least 46 people. A 2023 report indicated that glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates across the Hindu Kush and Himalayan Mountain ranges, with at least 200 glacial lakes at risk of overflowing.
Experts emphasize the need for climate-resilient infrastructure and effective early warning systems to mitigate the risks in this ecologically vulnerable region.
