Daijiworld Media Network- Uttarkashi
Uttarkashi, Aug 6: In a devastating natural calamity, Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district witnessed a horrific cloudburst on Tuesday afternoon, triggering massive flash floods and mudslides that claimed four lives and left at least 50 people missing, including nine Indian Army personnel.
The tragedy unfolded in Dharali village, a scenic spot in the Harsil Valley region, known for its serene landscapes and bustling tourist activity. The sudden cloudburst unleashed a torrent of water and debris that swept through the village, demolishing houses, homestays, and restaurants in a matter of minutes. Heart-wrenching visuals emerged showing buildings collapsing like a pack of cards and being washed away by the force of the floodwaters. Disturbing cries for help echoed through the village as residents struggled to find safety.
According to Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of the State Disaster Management Department, the flash floods flowed violently down both sides of a nearby hill — one stream inundating Dharali, while the other ravaged the neighbouring Sukki village.
The cloudburst also severely impacted the Harsil area, where nine jawans of the Indian Army, stationed at a local camp, have gone missing. Search and rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and local police are actively engaged in the massive operation to trace the missing and provide immediate assistance.
Despite relentless efforts, the rescue operations are facing hurdles due to continuous rainfall, landslides, and damaged access roads. Drones and search dogs have been deployed, while helicopters remain on standby, awaiting a break in the weather to carry out airlift missions.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed profound grief over the incident and said that all necessary arrangements are being made to aid the affected people. “The state stands firmly with the victims. Relief work is being conducted on war footing,” he stated.
Authorities have sounded a high alert across nearby regions and advised both tourists and residents to avoid travel to vulnerable zones. The administration is closely monitoring the situation, and emergency response teams remain deployed round the clock.
This tragic incident adds to the growing concerns about environmental fragility in the Himalayan belt, where unpredictable weather events are increasingly posing a threat to lives and livelihoods.