Catastrophic footage reveals individuals fleeing, swept away amidst cloudburst in Uttarakhand
In the heart of Uttarakhand, on August 5, 2025, a devastating event unfolded. A cloudburst in the high-altitude village of Dharali triggered flash floods that swept away entire homes, leaving at least 4 people dead and over 50 missing[1][4]. The Kheer Ganga river, unable to contain the deluge, overflowed, causing widespread destruction.
Rescue efforts are in full swing, involving the Indian Army's Ibex brigade, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other district authorities[2]. So far, over 190 people have been rescued[2]. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is coordinating relief efforts and closely monitoring the situation[1][2][4].
The affected areas include Dharali village and nearby zones in Uttarkashi. Infrastructure has been severely damaged, and connectivity to Gangotri Dham and the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage route has been disrupted due to landslides and flash floods[2]. Evacuation centres have been set up for the displaced residents[2][4]. Authorities urge people to avoid swollen rivers for safety reasons[2][4].
The cause of the disaster is under debate among experts. While initially attributed to a cloudburst, rainfall measurements report levels much below the usual cloudburst thresholds. This has led to suspicions that a glacial lake outburst flood or a glacial collapse might be the primary cause, supported by satellite data showing glacial ponds and glaciers above Dharali[3].
The Uttarkashi District Magistrate is Prashant Arya. New visuals on social media show people running for safety and being swept away by the floodwaters. Locals can be heard saying "sab khatam ho gaya" (everything is over) as the floods swept away buildings and villages[5]. Another video captures a local narrating the destruction caused by the cloudburst, detailing how homes, buildings, and markets have been washed away[6].
The Prime Minister has spoken to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding the cloudburst situation, assuring that relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort under the supervision of the state government to assist the affected people[7]. An article titled "Screams, houses swept in flashflood: Shocking video of Uttarkashi cloudburst" is also available for reading[8].
As heavy rainfall forecasts raise alerts for further emergencies, authorities maintain round-the-clock vigilance, hoping to mitigate any potential damage. The number of casualties is expected to rise, and our thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy.
[1] Live updates on the Uttarkashi cloudburst [2] Times of India: Uttarkashi cloudburst: Death toll rises to 4, over 50 missing [3] Hindustan Times: Uttarkashi cloudburst: Glacial lake outburst flood or glacial collapse suspected [4] NDTV: Uttarkashi cloudburst: Over 50 missing as flash floods sweep away homes, buildings in Uttarkashi [5] ABP News: Uttarkashi cloudburst: Locals say 'sab khatam ho gaya' as floods sweep away buildings and villages [6] NDTV: Uttarkashi cloudburst: Local narrates destruction caused by cloudburst [7] Press Trust of India: PM assures all possible assistance to Uttarakhand in wake of cloudburst [8] India Today: Screams, houses swept in flashflood: Shocking video of Uttarkashi cloudburst
- The Indian government is closely following the situation in Uttarakhand, as a cloudburst in the Dharali village has resulted in multiple deaths, missing individuals, and vast infrastructure damage, affecting the district's connectivity.
- A unique collaboration between the Indian Army's Ibex brigade, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other district authorities is underway, in an effort to locate the missing and rescue over 50 people.
- While authorities are coordinating relief efforts and setting up evacuation centres for the displaced, experts debate the true cause of the disaster, as rainfall measurements fall below usual cloudburst thresholds, leading to speculation about a glacial lake outburst flood or glacial collapse.
