Tue Aug 05 11:00:00 UTC 2025: **Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Deadly Flash Flood Cuts Off Gangotri, Scores Missing**
**Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand** – A devastating cloudburst struck the village of Dharali, near Harsil in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, on Tuesday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction and cutting off access to the holy Gangotri shrine. The flash flood, triggered by the cloudburst around 1:45 PM, has claimed the lives of at least four people, with over 50 still missing.
The sudden surge of water and debris inundated the area, sweeping away hotels, markets, and infrastructure. A witness described the scene to India Today TV, saying, “Everything from hotels to markets has been destroyed. I have never seen such a disaster before.”
The source of the deluge is believed to be Kheer Ganga, originating from the Hari Shila mountain range. Dharali, located between the affected area and the army camp in Harsil, was home to over 200 locals and pilgrims at the time of the disaster.
An army camp belonging to the 14 Raj Rif unit was also impacted, with reports suggesting ten soldiers and one JCO are missing, and one officer injured. Despite the damage to their own facilities, army personnel have been actively involved in rescue and relief efforts.
Landslides in Netala, 18 km from Uttarkashi, have further hampered access to Dharali, exacerbating the challenges for rescue teams. A helipad near Harsil was also washed away, grounding helicopter operations.
The surge in the Kheergarh stream has amplified the devastation. Teams from the Uttarkashi Police, SDRF, NDRF, and the army are working to provide relief to the most affected areas. The Indian Army, stationed near the initial landslide, was among the first responders, rescuing approximately 15 individuals.
Prime Minister Modi has expressed his sorrow over the Uttarkashi tragedy, vowing that “no effort will be spared in providing assistance.” However, heavy rainfall continues to impede rescue and relief efforts. Authorities are struggling to assess the full extent of the damage and locate the missing in the wake of this catastrophic event.
First Piper 