It’s a heartbreaking and terrifying reminder of nature as, in the blink of an eye, the village turned into a riverbed after a horrific flash flood smashed through a remote village, killing four people and breaking many families apart from their loved ones. Uttarakhand is once again in mourning. This is a community in crisis, not just a calamity.
Cloudburst Hits Uttarkashi Dharali Village
A cloudburst hit Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district this afternoon, causing a mudslide and flash floods that swept through a village, surprising its residents. Four people have died, others are believed to be trapped under debris, and eleven Army men are missing.
Four individuals were declared dead in the flash flood affecting Dharali village by Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya. “A huge flash flood devastated the region. We are still determining the extent of property and human damage,” Arya stated.
In order to conduct search and rescue efforts, he continued, teams from the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been sent to the impacted areas. According to Arya, there are several small guesthouses, hotels, and restaurants in the affected area.
“We have sent out rescue teams in accordance with that. Teams from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Tehsil have already arrived at the location,” he stated.
Army Confirms Rescue Operations Underway
The Army reports that the mudslide passed through Dharali at approximately 1:45 p.m. The Army’s Central Command reported on X that “a massive mudslide struck Dharali village in the Kheer Ganga area near Harshil, triggering a sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement.”
Troops have arrived at the scene and begun rescue efforts, it added. The extent of the damage is being determined, and as relief efforts progress, updates will be provided. “The Army is committed to helping our citizens through this natural disaster,” the Army stated.
“Every Effort Is Being Made,” Says PM Modi
After reviewing the situation with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that every attempt is being made to help the people. The Chief Minister has also had a conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Rescue efforts are being carried out by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Also present at the location is a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team.
CM Dhami Assures Full Rescue Efforts
According to Chief Minister Dhami, the state disaster response team, the Army, the NDRF, and the district government are all working on rescue and evacuation efforts in the affected districts. “The administration is fully alert, and affected citizens are being provided every help.”
IMD Issues Red Alert Warning
The India Meteorological Department recorded “extremely heavy” rainfall of roughly 21 cm (8 in) in isolated areas of Uttarakhand and issued a red alert warning for the region. Additionally, it predicted that the area would see more intense rainfall in the days ahead.
In a number of areas, including the cities of Dehradun and Haridwar, authorities have requested that schools stay closed.
In Uttarakhand, a region at risk for landslides and flash floods during the monsoon season from June to September, cloudbursts — sudden, powerful downpours over short areas — have become more frequent. Cloudbursts can cause severe flooding and landslides, which can have a devastating effect on thousands of people in hilly areas.
The India Meteorological Department defines a cloudburst as rain exceeding 100 millimeters per hour across 20 to 30 square kilometers while there are high winds and lightning.
The terrible occurrences in Uttarkashi serve as a sad reminder of the hills’ increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events. While families grieve their losses, the residents of Dharali Village and the surrounding areas currently face a lengthy road to recovery — one that will call for the country’s attention, empathy, and persistent action in addition to relief.
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