A sudden cloudburst on Tuesday triggered devastating flash floods in Uttarkashi’s high-altitude village of Dharali, located on the route to Gangotri, leaving at least four people dead and causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Officials said that the flooding, which followed heavy rains in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, swept away several houses and possibly dozens of hotels and homestays.
Dharali, a key stopover for pilgrims heading to Gangotri, witnessed scenes of destruction as torrents of muddy water and silt tore through the village. Initial reports suggest that 10 to 12 people may be trapped under debris, while locals estimate that 20 to 25 tourist accommodations could have been washed away. Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed the fatalities and said an Army team from Harsil has been deployed for rescue operations.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the incident, calling the loss “extremely sad and painful.” He said SDRF, NDRF, and local administration teams are working on a war footing to carry out relief and rescue operations. “I am in constant touch with senior officials and closely monitoring the situation. I pray for everyone’s safety,” Dhami posted on X.
Videos circulating on social media captured the terrifying scale of the disaster—gushing water tearing down slopes, people screaming, and families desperately calling loved ones in the affected zone. In one chilling video, a person can be heard saying, “Everything is finished.”
Widespread panic has gripped neighbouring villages as rescue operations continue amid fears that more lives could be at risk.
