A powerful cloudburst has unleashed flash floods in the mountainous state of Uttarakhand, leaving dozens feared trapped and prompting a large-scale rescue operation by Indian military and paramilitary forces.
The disaster struck Dharali, a popular tourist village in Uttarkashi district, on Tuesday afternoon around 1:30 PM local time. Torrential rain swelled the Kheerganga River, sending waves of thick, muddy water hurtling down steep terrain, sweeping away buildings, shops, and roads.
Eyewitness videos show residents and tourists fleeing in panic as floodwaters tore through the area. Shouts of “run, run” and shrill whistles filled the air as bystanders watched helplessly while the muddy surge buried structures and debris piled high.
“It happened so suddenly, no one had time to escape,” said one resident from a nearby village, who filmed the terrifying scene. Locals fear that many people may still be trapped under the rubble.
Among the structures hit is the ancient Kalpkedar temple, which witnesses say is now buried beneath a layer of slush. The flood has also blocked part of the Bhagirathi River, which later becomes the Ganges, creating an artificial lake and submerging large swathes of land, including a government helipad.
Officials warn the temporary lake could pose a serious risk to downstream communities if not drained quickly. Rescue Operation Underway
Rescue teams, including the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), have arrived at the scene. Announcements are being made urging people to stay away from the floodwaters. However, ongoing rainfall continues to hamper relief efforts.
“The area has poor connectivity, making communication challenging,” said Prashant Arya, the top administrative official in Uttarkashi. “Dharali is a heavily populated tourist area with many restaurants and hotels, so we’ve dispatched all available rescue teams.”
Some of the injured have been taken to the army medical camp in nearby Harsil, just two kilometers away. The town also houses a large Indian army base and an ITBP camp, which helped expedite the emergency response.
As heavy rains continue to lash the region, rescue teams are racing against time to locate the missing and secure the area. The full extent of the damage remains unclear, and officials are closely monitoring the rising water levels and potential downstream impact.