Military deployment in Uttarakhand, India, triggered by a catastrophic mudslide during the recent floods
The picturesque Himalayan village of Dharali in Uttarakhand was hit by a devastating flash flood on August 5, 2025, causing severe destruction and loss of life. The floodwaters and mud swept through the village, destroying homes, roads, and infrastructure, leaving at least five people dead and over 50 missing.
The disaster was triggered by a cloudburst, a sudden and intense burst of rainfall, which made the flash floods in the Himalayan region more intense. This unfortunate event is not uncommon in the region, which is prone to flash floods and landslides during the monsoon season.
Rescue efforts were promptly launched, involving the Indian Army's Ibex brigade, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). These teams have been conducting search and rescue operations, targeting those trapped under debris and involved in evacuations. So far, about 190 people have been rescued and moved to safe shelters, with arrangements ongoing to evacuate more residents.
The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has been closely monitoring the relief efforts and coordinating with officials on the ground. He has stated that rescue teams have been deployed "on a war footing." Police have advised residents and tourists to avoid the swollen rivers due to continued flood risks. A second cloudburst near Dharali shortly after the initial one has complicated the situation, and the damage assessment continues.
The flash flood severely disrupted connectivity in the region, including access to Gangotri Dham, and affected the Char Dham pilgrimage route due to landslides triggered by heavy rains. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast ongoing heavy rainfall in the area, heightening concerns for further disasters and necessitating round-the-clock vigilance in vulnerable zones.
This disaster comes just over three years after a similar incident in 2021, when more than 200 people were killed in Uttarakhand due to flash floods that swept away two hydroelectric projects. The region's vulnerability to such disasters is a cause for concern, particularly as climate change is causing many of the region's glaciers to recede.
In summary, the situation in Dharali remains critical with ongoing rescue and relief operations amid continued heavy rains. Authorities are working to evacuate and assist displaced people while assessing infrastructural damage caused by the flash floods and cloudbursts. The National Disaster Management Authority has requested helicopters from the federal government to assist in the rescue efforts.
- The government, in response to the flash flood disaster in Dharali, has mobilized the Indian Army's Ibex brigade, NDRF, and SDRF for search and rescue operations, as well as requested helicopters from the federal government to aid in the efforts.
- The media has been covering the ongoing critical situation in Dharali, highlighting the severe destruction caused by the flash floods and landslides, and the efforts by environmental-science experts to assess the impact of climate change on the region's glaciers.
- The science community has expressed concern about the frequency of such disasters in the Himalayan region due to climate change, specifically the receding glaciers, and urged the government to invest in research and infrastructure to mitigate future risks.
