Flood Footage: Homes Overwhelmed by Raging River in Uttarakhand Due to Cloudburst Disaster
In the heart of Uttarakhand, the picturesque village of Dharali has been hit hard by a series of unfortunate events. On Tuesday afternoon, a massive cloudburst occurred, leading to flash floods that have caused widespread destruction in the area.
The situation in Dharali is being managed by a joint effort from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), district administration, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). A 16-member team from the ITBP's 12th battalion stationed at Matli in Uttarakhand has been deployed to the cloudburst site. Another unit of the same strength has been asked to rush to the area as well.
The flash floods have been devastating. They have damaged or swept away several houses in Dharali, including hotels, restaurants, and homestays that are a significant part of the local economy. At least four people were tragically killed due to the floods, with around 50 people still missing.
The disaster was likely caused by a cloudburst in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river. Videos from the area show a torrent of muddy water and silt rushing down the slopes towards settlements along the riverbanks, which are potentially at risk due to the ongoing flood situation.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with the Indian Army's Ibex brigade, NDRF, SDRF, and ITBP working tirelessly to save lives. So far, 190 people have been rescued, but many remain displaced. The disaster has severely damaged infrastructure, including roads and connectivity to the Gangotri Dham pilgrimage route. Continuous heavy rainfall is forecast, raising concerns over further emergencies.
Authorities have urged residents and tourists to stay away from the swollen rivers and maintain a safe distance from the riverbanks in Dharali. The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Dhami, has expressed concern over the cloudburst and is in constant contact with senior officials.
The event highlights the increasing vulnerability of Himalayan settlements to extreme weather events, likely linked to climate change. Rescue and relief operations are continuing under difficult conditions due to the rugged terrain and ongoing rains.
In a poignant moment captured on video, a local resident can be heard saying "Baap re baap" as he watches the devastation unfold. The footage shows people running to safety as the flash floods approach, and the devastation caused by the floods.
Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy, and we hope for a swift resolution to the ongoing rescue efforts.
[1] Times of India [2] NDTV [3] The Hindu [4] The Indian Express [5] The Wire
- The disaster in Dharali, caused by the cloudburst and subsequent flash floods, has inflicted serious damage on the local economy, particularly on hotels, restaurants, and homestays.
- The ongoing rescue operations in Dharali, led by the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and ITBP, continue to grapple with difficult conditions due to the rugged terrain and ongoing rains, highlighting the increased vulnerability of Himalayan settlements to extreme weather events possibly linked to climate change.
