Uttarakhand: Major cloud burst floods Uttarkashi's Dharali; chilling visuals of Khir Ganga goes viral
On August 5, 2025, a devastating cloud burst struck the village of Dharali in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, causing massive destruction. This sudden and intense rainfall led to a flash flood in the Khir Ganga River, which swept away several homes, shops, and vehicles in the area.
The torrent turned the once-bustling Dharali market into rubble, with local authorities fearing casualties and significant damage to infrastructure.
Rescue teams from the State and National Disaster Response Forces were quickly deployed but faced challenges due to blocked roads and disrupted connectivity to nearby pilgrimage sites, including Gangotri Dham.
A cloud burst, defined as an extremely heavy localised rainstorm dropping more than 10cm of rain within a very short time over a small area, is particularly common in mountainous regions like Uttarakhand. This phenomenon occurs when warm air currents cause raindrops to remain suspended in clouds until they suddenly fall in a torrent, often accompanied by hail and thunder.
The Himalayan terrain exacerbates the effects due to steep slopes and fragile soil conditions, leading to flash floods and landslides. In Dharali, the cloud burst triggered such landslides, with the heavy water flow washing away large amounts of soil and debris into the village and causing significant flooding.
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Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
Uttarakhand flash flood: Trail of destruction from Dharali to Harsil; Army camp hit, NH washed away, shelters set up in hotels, schools; 4 dead, 50+ feared missing
A devastating flash flood, triggered by a cloudburst or glacial burst, struck Dharali village near Gangotri in Uttarkashi district, resulting in four fatalities and leaving over 50 people feared missing. DEHRADUN: At least four people died, more than 50 are feared missing, and over three dozen buildings were destroyed after a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst or a glacial burst hit Dharali village near Gangotri in Uttarkashi district around 1:50pm on Tuesday. The flood, which flattened homes, hotels, homestays and the market area, injured several others and later struck Harsil, damaging an Army camp and helipad. District officials said more than 130 people were rescued from the village by late evening. Initial estimates suggest over 100 families, along with around 45 hotels, homestays, guesthouses and houses, were affected by the flash flood, though the administration is yet to confirm the exact figures. The first wave of floodwater was channelled through the Kheer Gad ghadera (stream) into the Bhagirathi river, causing widespread damage. By 4pm, it hit the Army camp in Harsil, running through buildings and the helipad. The deluge followed two days of rain, and intensified after a second cloudburst was near Sukki Top, worsening the situation and complicating rescue operations. Temporary shelters being set up in hotels and school Uttarkashi DM Prashant Arya confirmed four deaths, but the administration did not release an official count of the missing though officials on site said the number could well exceed 50. The floodwaters, laden with debris, carried sludge and boulders into the Kheer Gad river catchment area, burying homes and businesses. Eyewitnesses reported survivors crawling out of the mud while others ran for cover as the wave of water surged through the village. Video footage from the site showed people fleeing with whatever they could carry as buildings collapsed around and behind them. The state govt launched an extensive multi-agency rescue operation involving over 200 personnel from the Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), local police, and administrative staff. The Army's Ibex Brigade led the ground response, and three helicopters - two MI-17s and one Chinook - were requisitioned from the Centre to assist with aerial rescue and supply drops. Access to the worst-affected areas remained severely restricted. District administration teams, including the DM and SP, were unable to reach Dharali as they got stuck near Bhatwari after a 50-metre stretch of the Gangotri highway was washed away. National Highway access near Sukki Top also remained blocked due to debris from the second cloudburst, hampering evacuation and supply movement. By 2pm, over 500 people had been safely evacuated from Gangotri. No pilgrims remained stranded in Harsil. A large relief camp was established at the Government Inter College in Dharali, and public announcements were being made in nearby riverside villages to move people to safer locations. Temporary shelters were being set up in hotels and schools, with arrangements for food, drinking water, bedding, blankets, and medical supplies. Food packets were airdropped in areas cut off by landslides. Authorities were monitoring the Bhagirathi river for potential secondary surges. The regional meteorological centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Uttarkashi district on Aug 6, warning of the possibility of more cloudbursts or flash floods. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami held a high-level review meeting and said rescue operations were underway on a war footing. "Army, SDRF, NDRF, and district officials are on-site. Our top priority is saving lives," he said. Officials were directed to requisition hotels if required to house those displaced by the disaster. PM Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Dhami and assured full support. Modi later posted on X, expressing grief and said all assistance would be extended.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Expect light rain over next few days in city
New Delhi: The city continued to experience a humid day with a "feels like" temperature of 44.8 degrees Celsius on Tuesday afternoon. As the monsoon trough line is to the north of the city, towards the foothills, experts believe that the city will receive only light or very light rain, with the possibility of moderate showers in isolated areas over the next 2-3 days. Delhi may expect substantial rain only after the trough is either south of the city or over it. "Currently, the monsoon trough line is in the Himalayan foothills, which is why it is witnessing devastating rains. Within 24 hours, the intensity is expected to drop, but the rain will not stop. In Delhi, however, isolated areas may receive some rain, but nothing substantial is expected to happen over the next few days until the trough shifts either southward of Delhi or over Delhi," said Mahesh Palawat, vice chairman, Climate Change and Meteorology, Skymet. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi According to IMD, the monsoon trough is passing through Amritsar, Patiala, Muzaffarnagar, Kheri, Valmik Nagar, and then east and northwestwards to Arunachal Pradesh, close to the foothills of the Himalayas. On Tuesday, none of the city areas recorded rain until late evening. Meanwhile, the maximum temperature was recorded at 32.7 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal, compared to 33.4 degrees Celsius a day earlier. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People Born 1940-1975 With No Life Insurance Could Be Eligible For This Reassured Undo The minimum temperature was recorded at 25.8 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal, compared to 27.2 degrees Celsius a day earlier. The humidity oscillated between 68% and 85%. The winds were westerly and southwesterly, with a peak wind speed of 6 kmph. According to the IMD, the maximum temperature on Wednesday may hover around 32 to 34 degrees Celsius, with the possibility of very light to light rain. Meanwhile, the air quality index (AQI) improved back to satisfactory levels on Tuesday. The AQI, on a scale of 0 to 500, was 97, compared to 116 a day earlier.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
More frequent, intense rain tomorrow: Met
Kolkata: While the monsoon trough shifted closer to the Himalayan foothills, an upper air cyclonic circulation brought rain to the city and other parts of south Bengal. While the city is expected to get a few spells of rain every day, the Met office predicted a higher intensity on Thursday. "The window for more frequent rain may begin on Wednesday night, with Thursday having a higher chance of intensified rain," said HR Biswas, meteorologist at Regional Meteorological Centre Kolkata. According to an IMD bulletin, an upper air cyclonic circulation over north Bangladesh and the neighbourhood is expected to strengthen. Once it happens, the rain intensity and frequency will increase in Kolkata. Some districts, like North 24 Parganas and Nadia, could get some heavy spells, too. Kolkata received scattered showers during the day on Tuesday. The overnight rain on Monday ensured the mercury stayed below the normal mark. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata
