Uttarakhand is grappling with the aftermath of a calamitous flash flood that has left at least 66 people missing and one confirmed dead. Officials announced the troubling news as they continue to conduct rescue operations in the afflicted Dharali village, hit hard by the disaster on August 5. Initial estimates reported four fatalities, but this number has since been adjusted downwards.
The floods, triggered by weeks of heavy rainfall, resulted in a mudslide that engulfed half of Dharali. In addition, an army camp nearby was severely impacted. Rescue crews have managed to save around 1,300 individuals from the vicinity. However, the combination of inclement weather and heavy debris obstructing key roadways has hampered their efforts.
Local authorities initially attributed the floods to a cloudburst, a claim that has not been confirmed by the Indian meteorological department. Instead, Vinay Shankar Pandey, a senior official overseeing local response, disclosed that a team of geologists has been deployed to understand the disaster's underlying causes.
The nearby Kheerganga river swelled dramatically, unleashing torrents that inundated roads and structures, including essential buildings within Dharali and neighboring Harsil. Eyewitness footage captured the horrific moment, depicting a deluge that consumed the landscape, leaving little time for escape.
Moreover, the floodwaters from Kheerganga blocked the Bhagirathi river—known for its transformation into the sacred Ganges further downstream—forming an artificial lake that submerged vast areas, including a government helipad vital for rescue operations. Rescuers are working tirelessly to drain the lake, which has seen fluctuations in water levels due to ongoing rainfall.
Among the missing, the list includes 24 Nepalese workers, 14 locals, nine soldiers, as well as individuals from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Locals have expressed concern that the number of unaccounted persons may be higher than reported.
Rescue operations are using helicopters to access the more remote areas of Dharali and a temporary bridge has been constructed to facilitate easier movement of debris and aid. Pandey emphasized the importance of these efforts: “We are working continuously to remove debris and restore order in Dharali.”
Innovative techniques, including the deployment of sniffer dogs and earth-moving machinery, are aiding the search for those trapped under rubble. One rescue worker revealed that attempts to recover a hotel site were underway, as people were believed to be within when the incident occurred.
Concerns over further substantial rainfall loom over the region, with weather warnings for storms extending until August 14 across eight districts, including Garhwal, leading to intensified alertness in preparation for potential additional flooding.
