Flash flood devastates Uttarakhand village
New Delhi, Aug 5: A devastating flash flood, triggered by a cloudburst in the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, swept through Dharali village in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand on Tuesday, causing large-scale destruction.
The village, a significant stop on the yatra route to Gangotri Dham, bore the brunt of nature’s fury as rising waters inundated homes and public infrastructure.
The sudden surge in the Kheer Ganga in the Harsil area led to widespread damage across Dharali.
Visuals on social and mainstream media from the site showed torrents of muddy water ripping through the village, sweeping away houses, shops, roads, hotels, and vehicles, and leaving behind heaps of debris and sludge.
Rescue and relief efforts were immediately launched by multiple agencies, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Army, and the local administration.
Teams from Harsil and Bhatwari were rushed to the scene, and rescue personnel were seen navigating through rubble and broken structures in search of survivors, media reported.
Initial reports suggest that several hotels and homestays have been completely washed away.
There is growing concern that 10 to 12 labourers may be trapped under debris, as locals reported their presence in the area at the time of the cloudburst.
Search operations are continuing under difficult weather and terrain conditions.
In a related incident in the Banala Patti region of Barkot tehsil, some livestock were swept away in the overflowing Kud Gadhera stream.
The Meteorological Department has forecast continued heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand till August 10, particularly in the hill districts.
Authorities have been put on high alert, with disaster management teams stationed at vulnerable locations and warnings issued to residents and travellers along yatra routes.
As the state grapples with the aftermath, the restoration of road connectivity, power supply, and communication lines remains a major challenge.
Officials have urged caution and advised against unnecessary travel in rain-hit regions as the risk of further landslides and flash floods remains high.
