Cloudburst and Flash Flooding Devastate Uttarkashi, India: What We Know So Far | WATCH
Four people have died and at least 60 are missing after flash floods hit Uttarkashi in India.
A severe cloudburst struck the Dharali village area in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, northern India, triggering massive flash floods that have caused widespread destruction. The incident occurred in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, leading to a sudden surge of water that swept away homes, shops, roads, and an entire market in seconds. Eyewitness videos circulating online show villagers fleeing as torrents of water and debris engulfed the area, with structures collapsing rapidly. This region, part of the Himalayan foothills and a popular pilgrimage site near the Gangotri glacier, is prone to such extreme weather events due to its steep terrain and monsoon patterns.
Impact and Casualties
- Destruction: The floods have submerged or washed away dozens of houses, a local market in Dharali, and portions of roads, isolating several villages. Landslides triggered by the downpour have compounded the damage, blocking access routes and burying areas under debris.
- Human Toll: At least 4 people have been confirmed dead, with dozens feared missing or trapped under rubble and floodwaters. Reports indicate several villagers were swept away while trying to escape, and the exact number of missing could rise as rescue operations continue. No injuries among tourists have been reported yet, but the area is frequented by pilgrims during this season.
Rescue and Response Efforts
- Indian Army units have been deployed for rescue operations, focusing on evacuating stranded individuals and searching for the missing. State disaster response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are on the ground, using helicopters and boats to navigate the flooded terrain.
- Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to accelerate relief efforts and provide aid to affected families. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for continued heavy rainfall in the region, urging residents to stay alert.
- Social media is flooded with real-time videos and pleas for help, amplifying calls for support.
Cloudbursts, intense, localized rainfall events, are common in the Himalayan region during the monsoon season (June-September), often leading to flash floods and landslides due to fragile ecosystems and deforestation. Uttarkashi, known for its religious significance as the starting point for the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage, has faced similar disasters in the past, including a deadly 2021 glacier burst that killed over 200 people. Climate change is exacerbating these events, with warmer temperatures increasing rainfall intensity.
Authorities are urging people to avoid riverbanks and low-lying areas. Updates are expected as more information emerges from the ground.
Sources :Timesnow News, Hindustantimes, India Today