A week after a devastating flash flood struck Dharali village in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, rescue and relief efforts are ongoing, but hampered by predictions of further heavy rainfall. As of today, August 12, 2025, 43 people remain missing, according to government officials. The missing include nine Army personnel, eight locals from Dharali, five residents from nearby areas, one person from Tehri district, 13 from Bihar, and six from Uttar Pradesh.
The flash flood, triggered by a cloudburst over the Kheer Ganga catchment on August 5, 2025, caused widespread destruction in Dharali. Approximately 20-30 houses, shops, local markets, roads, and about 20 hotels and homestays were swept away by the deluge. A second cloudburst in the Sukhi Top area near Dharali later that day worsened the situation.
Authorities are concerned that a stream from Kheer Gad, buried under debris up to 50 feet deep, may still be flowing beneath the rubble. This poses a risk of the ground softening into marsh, making excavation efforts treacherous. Inspector General, SDRF, and nodal officer Arun Mohan Joshi warned that the stream's mouth is clogged with rubble, and the potential for underground water flow makes the soil unstable.
Despite the challenges, rescue operations continue, with a joint task force navigating unstable terrain to find those trapped. Over 1,300 people have been rescued since August 5. Approximately 300 Dharali residents have remained in the village amidst the ongoing relief efforts, while others have moved to Uttarkashi or Dehradun.
The government has announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for affected families and is working to restore road connectivity. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has pledged a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for those affected and a high-level committee will assess the damage and engage with the affected population.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast "heavy to very heavy" rainfall for Uttarkashi and surrounding districts until August 15, raising concerns about fresh landslides and flooding that could further impede search and relief operations. The weather forecast for Dharali predicts light rain today, August 12, 2025, with a 45% chance of rain, and continuing rain throughout the week.
In response to the disaster, approximately 800 personnel from the Army, ITBP, NDRF, SDRF, and the state government are collaborating on rescue operations. A Bailey bridge that was washed away by the floods has been rebuilt to improve connectivity. The administration's top priority is locating those still trapped under the debris.
