Watch | Kheer Ganga river becomes river of debris, flattens settlements as cloudburst triggers flash floods in Uttarakhand

District Magistrate Prashant Arya said there were reports of four deaths so far. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said that evacuation is being undertaken on priority basis and the situation is being constantly monitored.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | Updated: August 5, 2025 11:04 PM IST

2 min read

Watch | Deluge sweeps away scores of houses as cloudburst triggers flash floods in Uttarakhand

Relief teams, including forces of the Indian Army, the State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force and Fire department and police are engaging in rescue efforts, officials said. (Express Photo)

Flash floods and a debris slide hit Dharali village in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi following a cloudburst on Tuesday, sweeping away scores of structures and buildings in harrowing visuals that surfaced online where people could be heard shrieking.

A dust cloud remained in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, where colourful buildings stood seconds ago in the wake of the river of debris that came crashing down the hills. Four people died and several have been reported missing in the region, situated 10km away from the popular tourist site Harsil.

Relief teams, including forces of the Indian Army, the State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force and Fire department and police are engaging in rescue efforts, officials said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that evacuation is being undertaken on priority basis and the situation is being constantly monitored.

“People are being evacuated to safer places on priority basis and the situation is being constantly monitored. The administration is fully alert and all possible assistance is being provided to the affected citizens,” Dhami wrote on X.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Dhami and ordered the dispatch of seven rescue teams to assist people in the affected areas.

“Spoke to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand regarding the flash flood in Dharali (Uttarkashi) to get information about the incident. Three ITBP teams, stationed nearby, have been sent to the spot while four NDRF teams have also been dispatched and they will reach soon and engage in rescue operations,” Shah wrote on X.

Heavy rains lashed various parts of the state on Monday, leaving three persons dead and disrupting normal life. One person was swept away by the strong currents of the Bhakhra stream, while two persons drowned in a swollen stream near Bhujiyaghat — both near Haldwani.

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District Magistrate Prashant Arya said there were reports of four deaths so far on Tuesday and preliminary assessments indicate severe property damage. Visuals showed the debris slide encroaching into the town, taking with it structures.

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