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Cloudburst Triggers Deadly Flood in Uttarakhand’s Dharali, 4 Dead, 50 Missing
A sudden cloudburst triggered deadly floods in Dharali, killing four and destroying dozens of buildings, including hotels and a key bridge.

A cloudburst hit Dharali village in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand on Tuesday at around 1:50 pm,. As a result, heavy rain caused a flash flood in the Kheer Ganga river, which flows through the village.

Water Wave Hits the Village Hard

Soon after the cloudburst, a strong wave of water, mud, and debris rushed into Dharali. This wave swept through the village's main market area. It destroyed several hotels, homestays, and restaurants.

Moreover, people recorded videos of the disaster. These clips show buildings breaking apart and people running to save their lives. Unfortunately, some got swept away in the flood.

Deaths and Massive Destruction Reported

According to officials, the flood killed at least four people. Additionally, it washed away around 40 to 50 buildings, including 20 to 25 hotels and guesthouses.

“Prima facie, it appears that 40-50 buildings have been washed away in the deluge,” said Uttarakhand Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu.

Likewise, a local resident Rajesh Panwar told PTI, “Around 20-25 hotels and homestays have been washed away.”

Furthermore, India Today reported that over 50 people are feared missing. One eyewitness told the news outlet, “Everything from hotels to markets has been destroyed… I haven’t witnessed a disaster like this before.”

Rescue Teams Respond Quickly

Soon after the flood, the Indian Army, ITBP, and SDRF teams rushed to the site. The Army sent troops from the Harshil base, just 4 km from Dharali. They reached within 10 minutes.

By 3:30 pm, they had rescued 20 people and moved them to safer places. Meanwhile, a 16-member ITBP team also reached the village. Another unit was on its way. SDRF personnel joined the operations as well.

At the same time, the government focused on restoring road connectivity. “Since road connectivity has been impacted, a bridge has been washed away, we are talking to the officials of BRO, PWD, our priority is to restore connectivity,” said Sudhanshu.

However, due to bad weather, helicopters couldn’t be used for rescue. “The weather is bad at present, we are not able to provide relief, and rescue through helicopter services. But SDRF, Army are there,” he added.

Second Cloudburst Hits Nearby Area

A few hours later, another cloudburst occurred near Dharali. At 4:48 pm, ANI reported that it took place at Sukhi Top. However, details about its impact are still unclear.

Fair Kept Many People Safe

Despite the destruction, the death toll could have been worse. According to an official, a local fair saved lives. “Luckily, most of the people were at a fair in a safe location,” the official told AFP.

So, while the visuals show the market wiped out, fewer people were present there when the flood struck.

Mud Covers the Entire Area

Soon after the flood, the Army and state police shared visuals from the site. These show buildings buried under thick mud and roads filled with debris.

Dharali is a popular stop for pilgrims on their way to Gangotri, the origin of the Ganga. But now, the village lies in ruins.

Government Sets Up Helplines

To help affected families, the Uttarakhand government set up emergency helpline numbers. These lines will assist those searching for missing or injured people.

Haridwar District Emergency Centre: 01374-222722, 7310913129, 7500737269

Dehradun State Emergency Centre: 0135-2710334, 0135-2710335, 8218867005, 9058441404

All-India Emergency Numbers: 1070, 112