Uttarkashi, August,2025 – A catastrophic cloudburst struck the Dharali village of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in a massive landslide that claimed at least four lives and left over 50 people missing. The incident occurred around 1:45 pm, approximately 4 kilometers from the Indian Army camp at Harsil and has severed all road connectivity to the revered Gangotri Dham.
According to preliminary information from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local administration, the intense cloudburst triggered a deluge of water, mud, and boulders cascading down the hillsides, engulfing everything in its path. The force of the landslide was so severe that it flattened homes, washed away vehicles, and damaged critical road infrastructure, making rescue operations extremely difficult.
Eyewitnesses described terrifying scenes as torrents of debris roared down the slopes, sweeping away residents and livestock. “There was a deafening noise, and within seconds, water mixed with boulders came rushing down,” said Devraj Rawat, a local villager who managed to escape.
Emergency Response Underway
A massive multi-agency rescue operation has been launched by the SDRF, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Indian Army. Helicopters have been deployed, but persistent rain and poor visibility have hindered aerial operations.
Local police, army personnel, and rescue teams are navigating treacherous terrain to search for survivors and retrieve bodies. Temporary camps have been set up to shelter displaced villagers, and emergency medical teams are on-site to treat the injured.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and assured that every possible measure is being taken. “Our thoughts are with the families affected by this natural calamity. We are working on a war footing to locate the missing and provide aid to those impacted,” he said in a statement.
Gangotri Dham Route Cut Off
The road to Gangotri, one of the four sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites, has been completely blocked. Thousands of pilgrims are now stranded at various points along the yatra route. Authorities have appealed to travelers to avoid the area until conditions stabilize.
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) officials have begun the work of clearing the debris and restoring connectivity, but officials say it could take several days due to the extent of the damage.
Experts Warn of More Rain
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the region, predicting more heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours, raising fears of additional landslides and flash floods.
Environmentalists have reiterated concerns over the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events due to climate change and unplanned development.
Past Incidents and Warnings
This incident is a grim reminder of the 2013 Kedarnath floods and the 2021 Chamoli disaster. Experts have long warned of the dangers of unchecked construction and deforestation in the ecologically sensitive region.
