From Uttarakhand to Kashmir: Heartbreaking Cloudburst Tragedies Shake the Himalayan Region Again

National News: Once again a cloudburst has caused horrific devastation in Dharali village of Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. At least 10 people have died in this natural disaster, while a large number of people are still missing. Sudden floods in the catchment area of ​​the Kheer Ganga river swept away houses, hotels, and homestays, turning the village into complete rubble. Intense footage from the spot shows a strong flow of water and debris entering the houses, causing people to run towards higher places. Since this incident, relief and rescue operations have been carried out on a war footing by the NDRF, SDRF, and the Ibex Brigade of the Indian Army. Helicopters and ground teams are constantly searching for the missing people, and the injured are being evacuated to safer places.

History of cloudburst

Disasters caused by cloudbursts are not new in India. Such incidents occur every year in many states, which prove to be a danger signal, especially for the Himalayan region. Some major incidents are as follows:

• Kali Ghati, Kumaon (August 1998): More than 250 killed.
• Kuntha, Rudraprayag (August 17, 1979): 39 deaths.
• Mumbai (July 2005): More than 450 lives lost.
• Leh, Ladakh (August 2010): estimated 250–600 deaths.
• Uttarkashi (September 2012): About 45 deaths.
• Kedarnath (June 16-17, 2013): Over 5,000 dead, many missing.
• Mandi, Himachal Pradesh (2025): Multiple cloudbursts kill 15 people and leave 27 missing.

These incidents have proved how disasters caused by cloudbursts in the Himalayan region are continuously increasing every year.

Relief work in Dharali

Relief work is being carried out at a fast pace after the flood in Dharali. Teams of NDRF, SDRF, and the Indian Army have reached the spot and are engaged in searching for people trapped under the debris.

• Medical assistance: Medical teams have been sent to nearby hospitals, which are providing first aid to the injured people.
• Relief material: Food, water, and other essential relief materials are being sent to the affected villages.
• Opening of road: To speed up rescue operations, work has started to remove debris from village roads.

questions on infrastructure

The disaster in Dharali has once again highlighted the need for better disaster management and early warning systems in the Himalayan region. District officials and state and central agencies are trying to deal with the gravity of the situation by coordinating relief operations. This tragedy has made it clear that the local infrastructure needs to be further improved to deal with such incidents.