Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Flash flood washed away entire village, several feared missing

A powerful cloudburst struck the Dharali area near Harsil in Uttarkashi district early Tuesday morning, triggering massive floods that washed away large parts of a village and left several people feared missing.

The sudden deluge caused widespread panic and destruction, prompting the deployment of emergency response teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, army, and local authorities.

According to the Uttarkashi Police, the incident was triggered by a sharp and sudden rise in the water level of the Kheer Ganga (locally known as Kheer Gadh), a stream in the Harsil valley. The force of the water swept away multiple houses and structures, while several villagers reportedly remain unaccounted for as of Tuesday afternoon.

“Due to the sudden cloudburst and the rising water level, we have received reports of significant damage in Dharali. Relief and rescue teams have been rushed to the site and are working round the clock to locate and assist survivors,” said a senior official from the Uttarkashi district administration.

Eyewitness videos and images emerging from the disaster-hit zone show terrifying scenes of floodwaters engulfing homes, with debris flowing through what were once village streets. Locals said the cloudburst occurred without much warning, giving residents little time to evacuate.

Meanwhile, the state’s Emergency Operation Centre confirmed that two shops in Rudraprayag district were buried under rubble after a landslide caused boulders and debris to fall from the hillside late Monday night.

No casualties were immediately reported from the Rudraprayag incident, but authorities are on high alert across the region as heavy rainfall continues to lash several districts.

In light of the persistent monsoon downpour, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had on Monday issued a high-level alert and instructed all District Magistrates to be present on ground zero with their teams.

Dhami emphasized the need for immediate response to road blockages, damage to drinking water and electricity supply systems, and any instances of waterlogging.

“All district administrations must remain vigilant. In case of disruptions caused by the rains, swift action is required to restore road connectivity and public utilities. Preparations must also be made in advance to handle further complications due to the weather,” Dhami said.

With more rainfall forecast in the coming days, state authorities have urged residents in hilly and vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow safety instructions issued by local administrations. Relief camps are being set up for those displaced by the disaster, and aerial surveys are expected to be conducted once the weather clears.

As search and rescue efforts continue in Dharali and surrounding regions, the scale of the destruction is still being assessed. Officials have said that full restoration and rehabilitation efforts will begin once immediate rescue operations are completed.