A powerful cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday triggered devastating flash floods that swept away homes, hotels, and lives. The disaster struck the high-altitude village of Dharali near the Kheer Ganga river’s catchment area, unleashing a torrent of water and debris. According to eyewitnesses, several houses were damaged or completely washed away in the sudden deluge. Villagers scrambled for higher ground as panic spread throughout the region. Shocking videos surfaced showing violent water currents engulfing the area, with people screaming in terror.
Local resident Rajesh Panwar told PTI that around 10 to 12 people are feared buried under the debris, while an estimated 20 to 25 hotels and homestays may have been swept away. Emergency rescue teams have been deployed to the site to carry out search and relief operations. However, harsh terrain and ongoing rainfall are reportedly hampering efforts. The sudden cloudburst has not only caused physical destruction but has also sparked deep concern among locals and authorities alike, who are now fearing aftershocks or more flash flooding in the coming hours.
The government has yet to release an official casualty count, and details are still emerging from the affected region. The cloudburst, which occurred in the Khir Gadh area, has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Himalayan villages to extreme weather events and the urgent need for improved early-warning systems and infrastructure planning in ecologically fragile zones like Uttarakhand. More updates are expected as authorities assess the full scope of the damage and continue with search and rescue operations.
