4 Dead, Scores Buried In Sludge: Cloudburst Horror In Uttarakhand Village

Four people have died and scores are feared trapped under debris after a cloudburst struck Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district this afternoon, triggering a mudslide and flash floods that swept through a village, catching its residents by surprise.

Horrifying visuals from Dharali village in Uttarkashi show a massive stream of water gushing towards homes after the cloudburst in the catchment area of Kheer Ganga river. In the visuals, residents are heard screaming in panic and a man is seen stumbling as he tries to come out of the sludge.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to review the situation and said all possible efforts are being made to help people. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to the Chief Minister.

Teams of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the National Disaster Response Forces have been rushed to the area to begin rescue work. These teams are racing against time to rescue those trapped in the debris.

Chief Minister Dhami has said the district administration, the Army, NDRF and the state disaster response force are conducting rescue work and evacuation in the affected areas. “The administration is fully alert and affected citizens are being provided every help.”

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उत्तरकाशी, हर्षिल क्षेत्र में खीर गाड़ का जलस्तर बढने से धराली में नुकसान होने की सूचना पर पुलिस, SDRF, आर्मी आदि आपदा दल मौके पर राहत एवं बचाव कार्य में जुटे हैं।

उक्त घटना को देखते हुए सभी नदी से उचित दूरी बनायें। स्वयं, बच्चों व मवेशियों को नदी से उचित दूरी पर ले जायें। pic.twitter.com/tAICzWQUzc

— Uttarkashi Police Uttarakhand (@UttarkashiPol) August 5, 2025

According to the Army, the mudslide swept through Dharali around 1.45 pm. “A massive mudslide struck Dharali village in the KheerGad area near Harsil, triggering sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement,” the Army’s Central Command posted on X.

It added that troops have reached the site and started rescue work. “Extent of damage is being ascertained and updates will follow as relief operations unfold. The Army stands resolute in support of our citizens during this natural calamity,” the Army said.

The Uttarkashi police has posted pictures of the destruction and urged people to maintain a safe distance from rivers. “In view of this incident, everyone should maintain a safe distance from the river. Ensure that you, children, and animals are kept at a safe distance from the river,” they said.

धराली (उत्तरकाशी) क्षेत्र में बादल फटने से हुए भारी नुकसान का समाचार अत्यंत दुःखद एवं पीड़ादायक है। राहत एवं बचाव कार्यों के लिए SDRF, NDRF, जिला प्रशासन तथा अन्य संबंधित टीमें युद्ध स्तर पर जुटी हुई हैं।

इस सम्बन्ध में लगातार वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों से संपर्क में हूँ और स्थिति की गहन…

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) August 5, 2025

Uttarakhand has been receiving heavy rain this monsoon and major rivers, including the Ganga in Haridwar, are in spate. On Monday, two people died in rain-related incidents, and two shops were buried under boulders and debris falling from the hillside in Rudraprayag district.

The weather office has issued a ‘red’ alert, warning of extremely heavy rainfall in the hilly state today. A ‘yellow’ alert has been issued for heavy rainfall throughout the week.