Tue Aug 05 11:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Cloudburst Devastates Uttarkashi: Fatalities and Widespread Destruction Reported

**Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand – August 6, 2025** – A catastrophic cloudburst struck Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand on August 5, triggering devastating flash floods along the Khir Ganga river. The deluge, laden with silt and debris, has claimed at least four lives, with nearly 50 people still missing and feared trapped under debris.

The villages of Dharali and Tharali were among the hardest hit, with homes, farmland, and an estimated 20 to 25 hotels and homestays, crucial to the region’s tourism-dependent economy, obliterated by the surging waters. Dramatic video footage shows entire sections of Dharali being swept away by the torrent.

District Magistrate Prashant Arya has confirmed the extensive damage and expressed grave concern for the missing. Vital infrastructure, including roads and bridges, has been severely damaged, forcing the closure of the Yamunotri highway due to landslides and hindering rescue efforts.

State authorities, in coordination with the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), have launched a large-scale rescue and relief operation. Helicopters and rescue teams are working tirelessly in challenging conditions to locate survivors and provide aid to those affected.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his deepest condolences and pledged unwavering government support to the affected communities.

The disaster highlights the vulnerability of Uttarkashi, situated in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, to extreme weather events. Experts attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such events to climate change. The recent disruption of the Char Dham pilgrimage due to monsoon-related incidents underscores the need for improved early-warning systems, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development policies.

The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between human life and the environment in vulnerable mountain regions, emphasizing the urgent need for a collective commitment to sustainable practices and resilience.

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