Cloudburst triggers flash floods in Uttarkashi village

A cloudburst led to a raging wave washing away buildings in the high-altitude Dharali village in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district. Rescue operations are underway with villagers fearing that several people could be trapped under the rubble.

Around 20-25 hotels and home stays have reportedly been washed away in Dharali, which falls on the way to Gangotri. Initial reports put the toll at four, as the cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga river catchment area triggered flash floods in the region, near Harsil, which is a popular tourist site and has an army camp. According to villagers, around 10-12 people could be buried under the debris in Dharali, which took the brunt of the flash floods.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences on X. "I express my condolences to those affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. I also pray for the well-being of all the victims." He has spoken to chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to take stock of the situation and assured that "under the state government's supervision, relief and rescue teams are making every possible effort. No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people."

Dhami posted on X that SDRF, NDRF, and district teams are working on a war footing. "I am in constant touch with senior officials. The situation is being monitored closely," he said.

Union home minister Amit Shah also spoke to Dhami assuring full support from the centre and said that both National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) teams were directed to reach the affected area immediately.

Uttarakhand had witnessed one of its worst flash floods following a cloudburst over Kedarnath in 2013. The calamity killed thousands, as it swept away buildings, roads and villages.