Nature's Wrath Unleashed in Uttarkashi: Cloudburst in Dharali Triggers Catastrophic Floods, Dozens Feared Missing

National News: The sacred soil of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand trembled once again under the fury of nature. On Tuesday morning, the peaceful village of Dharali, nestled en route to the revered Gangotri Dham, was ravaged by a sudden cloudburst, unleashing a violent flood that swept through the region like a monster awakened.

Within minutes, the scenic serenity of this Himalayan hamlet crumbled into chaos. Over 20 hotels and homestays were reduced to rubble as the Kheer Ganga river, swollen beyond imagination, surged through the area with unstoppable force.

It was all over in moments…

Local resident Rajesh Panwar, eyes heavy with tears, recounted the horror: “There was a roar from the mountains above… and within seconds, Kheer Ganga turned ferocious. It carried away everything—people, buildings, faith.” 

Panwar fears 10 to 12 laborers may still be buried beneath the debris. Search and rescue operations are underway, but treacherous conditions continue to hamper progress.

A Town Drowned in Debris

Dharali market, once bustling with life, now lies buried under thick layers of silt, rocks, and destruction. Roads are impassable. Panic-stricken locals have abandoned their homes, seeking shelter at higher elevations.

Kalp Kedar Temple—A Heritage in Ruins

Adding to the tragedy is the reported damage to the ancient Kalp Kedar Temple, a centuries-old shrine perched on the river’s edge. Locals say it has been swallowed by the floodwaters, buried under debris.
What stood as a symbol of unwavering faith now lies silent beneath mud and stone.

CM Dhami: We will save every life

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami responded swiftly to the crisis, mobilizing rescue and relief efforts without delay. He stated, “The cloudburst in Dharali is a heart-wrenching tragedy. Teams from the Army, NDRF, and SDRF are on site. Every human life matters—we are doing everything to protect and rescue.”

He assured that the injured will receive free treatment, and all affected families will be provided immediate support.

What’s Happening Now?

• Rescue teams from Army, NDRF, SDRF deployed on ground
• Search operations continue for missing laborers
• Relief camps set up for displaced families
• Helicopters deployed for aerial monitoring and aid drops
• Mobile network and power supply severely disrupted

This devastating event once again underlines the fragility of Himalayan regions in the face of extreme weather. As night descends over Dharali, fear hangs in the air, but so does hope—that with the dawn, help will arrive, and lives will be saved.