A cloudburst in Uttarakhand triggered flash floods on the upper banks of the Kheer Ganga river on Tuesday, leading to large-scale destruction in Uttarkashi's Dharali village near Gangotri Dham, with at least four casualties. Many are feared missing.
Uttarkashi District Magistrate, Prashant Arya, said, "A massive wave of flash flood hit the area. We are currently assessing the extent of damage to life and property.
Chilling visuals from Dharali village capture the fury as floodwater lashes through homes, shops, roads, and other infrastructure, only causing devastation all around. Preliminary information reveals that some sites, including hotels and homestays, are completely destroyed.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that he was in constant touch with officials. He called the incident "deeply saddening."
Commissioner of Garhwal Mandal, Vinay Shankar Pandey, said that there was widespread property damage, but the number of casualties is not known clearly. Rescue teams of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) are rescuing people, as reported by ANI.
Locals, however, fear that at least 10-12 labourers might be trapped in the debris. In the Banala Patti area of Barkot tehsil, over 18 goats drowned in the overflowing Kud Gadhera stream.
According to the Meteorological Department, there will be continuous heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand till August 10. It has warned of intense downpour, especially in the hilly regions of the state.
Rescue teams are evacuating and relocating all the people who are possibly trapped.