Cloudburst Devastates Dharali Village while 60 Feared Missing

Spread love

Massive mudslide near Gangotri Dham sweeps away homes and hotels; Indian Army’s Ibex Brigade evacuates civilians as search and rescue continues

By TRH State Desk

Uttarkashi, August 5, 2025 — A massive cloudburst struck Dharali village in the Kheer Gad area near Harsil on Tuesday afternoon, triggering a catastrophic mudslide and flash floods that swept away homes, shops, and hotels in a matter of seconds.

According to multiple ground reports and the Central Command of the Indian Army, the disaster struck around 1:45 PM, with an overwhelming torrent of debris-laden waters gushing through the valley, leaving behind a trail of devastation. “The entire Dharali market and village were affected. Over 60 people are reported missing,” said Mukund Shahi, a local journalist, citing initial estimates.

Local residents and eyewitnesses took to social media to share chilling visuals of the destruction. Journalist Tanmay Kulkarni described the scenes as “heartbreaking”, saying that the Khir Ganga river swelled rapidly following the cloudburst, inundating the area and sweeping away structures and lives.

“Homes and hotels were gone in seconds. People ran, screamed—many didn’t make it,” posted a witness named Urvi, who said the cloudburst happened just after 1:45 PM.

Responding within 10 minutes, over 150 personnel from the Indian Army’s Ibex Brigade were deployed from their base at Harsil — located just 4 km away — to launch urgent rescue and relief operations. “So far, more than 20 civilians have been safely evacuated, and the injured are receiving timely medical attention at the Army’s facility in Harsil,” said an official statement from the Indian Army Central Command.

Search and rescue operations continue as troops navigate challenging terrain and debris to locate missing persons. Army engineers and medics remain on-site, with more reinforcements expected to arrive by evening.

The disaster has also sparked renewed scrutiny of environmental degradation in the ecologically sensitive region. Journalist Yatharth highlighted the recent felling of over 6,500 deodar trees for the Gangotri-Harsil highway project, despite protests by ecologists and local communities. “This tragedy was predicted. Locals warned of unstable slopes and flood risk. They were ignored,” he posted.

Himalayan Warming, Extreme Weather in Focus

Climate scientists and environmentalists have long warned that rising temperatures in the Himalayas are intensifying cloudbursts and flash floods, especially during the monsoon. “Such extreme weather events are no longer isolated. The region is warming fast, and infrastructure development without sustainability is adding to the danger,” said a weather expert from Weather Monitors, which tracks Himalayan climate shifts.

The state government is expected to issue an official update later tonight. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been put on alert, while civilian volunteers and local authorities assist the Army. Meanwhile, residents of nearby Gangotri, Harsil, and Bhaironghati have been advised to remain indoors as more rain is forecast over the next 48 hours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and took stock of the situations. The Centre has rushed additional NDRF units to the ill-fated village.

Follow The Raisina Hills on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn