Rescue teams race against rain in Uttarkashi’s
Dharali village, where flash floods left dozens missing.
Uttarkashi, India — One person has been confirmed
dead and 66 remain missing a week after devastating flash floods and mudslides
struck Dharali village in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on August 5, 2025,
authorities said, as relentless rain and blocked roads hamper an ongoing
massive rescue operation.
The disaster, initially reported to have claimed
four lives, has now been revised to one confirmed death after officials
cross-checked recovery and identification records. The missing include 24
Nepalese workers, 14 locals, nine army personnel, and residents from Bihar and
Uttar Pradesh.
Rescue officials say the search operation is being
conducted under extremely difficult conditions. Continuous rain, unstable
terrain, and the blockage of a vital highway by mudslides have slowed progress.
On the day of the disaster, weeks of heavy rainfall
had swollen the Kheerganga river, sending torrents of muddy water down steep
slopes into Dharali and nearby Harsil village. The powerful surge crumpled
buildings, submerged nearly half the village, and damaged an army camp.
Video footage captured by locals showed a wall of
water tearing through the valley, destroying homes and shops within seconds.
Survivors say they had little to no warning before the floodwaters hit.
Although state officials initially attributed the
disaster to a cloudburst, the India Meteorological Department has not confirmed
this, prompting a geological team to investigate other possible triggers.
Vinay Shankar Pandey, a senior district official,
confirmed that a team of ten geologists is on-site. “Our priority remains the
search for survivors, but understanding the cause is essential for prevention
in the future,” he said.
The floodwaters also caused a blockage in the
Bhagirathi river, creating an artificial lake that submerged agricultural land,
a government helipad, and sections of nearby roads. Though the lake briefly
receded, subsequent rains have caused water levels to rise again.
Rescue teams, including army personnel, disaster
response units, and volunteers, are using helicopters to deliver aid and
evacuate stranded residents. A temporary Bailey bridge has been constructed to
restore partial access to the region.
Sniffer dogs, earth-moving machinery, and radar
equipment are being deployed to locate possible survivors under debris. In one
location, rescuers are digging manually where a hotel once stood, suspecting
people may be trapped beneath.
The operation has also faced additional incidents,
including the loss of a road-repair machine that plunged into the swollen
Kheerganga river, with its driver still missing.
Authorities have warned that continued heavy
rainfall until at least August 14 could trigger further landslides,
complicating both rescue efforts and relief distribution.
Over the past week, more than 1,300 people have
been evacuated from Dharali and nearby villages. Many have been relocated to
temporary shelters, where relief agencies are providing food, medical care, and
psychological support.
The disaster is a stark reminder of Uttarakhand’s
vulnerability to extreme weather events during the monsoon season, a
vulnerability scientists warn is being exacerbated by climate change and
unchecked development in fragile mountain zones.
Local residents say that the scale of the disaster
has left some families without homes, livelihoods, or any information about
missing relatives. “We just want to know what happened to them,” said one
villager, her voice breaking.
State officials have pledged financial aid to
affected families, along with reconstruction plans for damaged infrastructure
once conditions improve.
For now, Dharali remains cut off except for the
newly built bridge and helicopter access. Rescue teams continue their work,
hoping to find survivors despite diminishing odds.
The coming days will be critical, as forecasts
predict more rain, increasing the risk of further flooding in Uttarkashi’s
already battered villages.