Uttarkashi cloudburst update: 150 evacuated, Death toll reaches 5

By Priyanshu Priya, (Hindustan Times), Aug 6: The death toll has risen to five, and several people remain missing after a cloudburst in India's Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand triggered devastating flash floods in Dharali village on Tuesday.

Rescue operations are underway to locate over 100 people who have been reported missing. Personnel from the Indian Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police have rescued 150 people so far, despite relentless rainfall and the rugged terrain hampering operations.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami remained at ground zero on Wednesday morning. He inspected the ongoing rescue operations and conducted an aerial survey of the worst-hit Dharali village and nearby areas.

He also chaired a disaster meeting at the Dehradun State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). Dhami further met the disaster victims at the Uttarkashi PWD Guest House and assured them of the speedy rescue of their missing relatives.

Talking to reporters, CM said, “Ten DSPs, three SPs and around 160 police officials are engaged in carrying out rescue operations. Helicopters of the army are also ready. As soon as the weather improves, the helicopters will be used for rescue operations," reported news agency ANI.

Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttarakhand's CM to assess the situation and review the response. Following the call, Dhami posted on social media: “Heartfelt gratitude to the honourable Prime Minister for extending all possible assistance.”

What happened in Uttarkashi

Two separate cloudbursts in Dharali and Sukhi Top unleashed chaos across the region on Tuesday afternoon around 1:40 PM, with Dharali village in Uttarkashi facing the worst impact. Visuals from the area show widespread devastation as muddy torrents tore through settlements, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

According to officials, around 20–25 hotels and guesthouses were washed away, and large portions of the Dharali market were “completely swept away.” The flash floods were triggered after a cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga catchment, followed by mudslides in the Kheer Gadh area.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X, “I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and obtained information about the situation.”

Amit Shah has directed the immediate deployment of NDRF and ITBP teams to the region. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath also spoke to Dhami and extended support.

Emergency response teams — including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Army, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) — have been deployed in full force.