Cloudburst Triggers Devastating Flash Floods in Uttarkashi – Village Swept Away, 4 Dead, 50+ Missing

The Voice of Chandigarh

In a terrifying natural disaster, a massive cloudburst struck the Kheer Ganga catchment area near Dharali village in Uttarkashi district this afternoon, unleashing catastrophic flash floods that have left at least 4 people dead and over 50 missing.

Entire stretches of the village—including homes, shops, hotels, and roads—were swept away within minutes as a wall of water thundered through the area around 1:45 PM. Eyewitness videos show villagers running for their lives while buildings collapse and vanish in the raging flood.

Rescue efforts are ongoing on a war footing, with teams from the SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, and the Indian Army deployed amid debris and treacherous terrain. Heavy machines and sniffer dogs are being used to search for those feared buried under the rubble.

Officials have also reported a second cloudburst near Sukhi Top, about 16 km away, raising the threat of further landslides and damage in the region.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand’s hill districts until August 10.

This tragedy once again highlights the growing fragility of Himalayan regions in the face of climate change and rampant development, say experts.