Uttarkashi: Tragedy struck Uttarakhand’s Dharali area near Harsil on Tuesday after a powerful cloudburst triggered flash floods that swept away an entire village, leaving several people missing and causing significant destruction to local infrastructure.
The sudden surge in water levels, particularly in Kheer Gadh, wreaked havoc in the Dharali market area, damaging shops and homes. Emergency response units — including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire department, Uttarakhand Police, and the Indian Army — rushed to the scene and launched search and rescue operations.
In a statement, Uttarakhand Police confirmed the situation remains critical: “Damage has been reported from the Dharali market area following the sharp rise in water levels in Kheer Gadh. Rescue teams from police, SDRF, the fire department, and the Army are on site, carrying out relief work.”
Authorities have also urged residents to stay clear of riverbanks and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of children and livestock.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep anguish over the incident, stating that all possible steps are being taken to mitigate the impact of the disaster.
“The reports of widespread damage in Dharali are extremely distressing. Teams from SDRF, NDRF, and the district administration are conducting relief and rescue work on a war footing. I am closely monitoring the situation and remain in touch with officials,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The cloudburst came a day after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an alert warning of extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Uttarakhand, including Uttarkashi, Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli, and Tehri Garhwal, beginning August 4.
As a precaution, the Dehradun district administration had already ordered the closure of schools up to Class 12 and Anganwadi centres on August 4. The Chief Minister had also conducted a virtual review with all 13 District Magistrates to assess preparedness in light of the weather warnings.
As rescue operations continue, the exact number of missing persons remains unconfirmed. Officials say they are working tirelessly to account for all residents, and the extent of the damage will be assessed once floodwaters recede.
The incident has raised renewed concerns over the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Uttarakhand and the urgent need for improved disaster response mechanisms in the region.
