Over 60 missing in Uttarakhand flash floods disaster
| 2025-08-06
Over 60 missing in Uttarakhand flash floods disaster
Uttarkashi floods have caused multiple casualties and left dozens missing as rescue efforts continue. Government seeks aerial support amid challenges.
At least four individuals have lost their lives and more than 60 are reported missing in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, following devastating flash floods triggered by a significant debris slide in the village of Dharali on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Local authorities have confirmed that the floods wreaked havoc on shops, hotels, and residential areas, leading to extensive destruction in this high-altitude region.
Overview of the Incident
The disaster unfolded shortly after 1:50 PM when the water levels in the Kheer Ganga River rose significantly, allegedly due to a cloudburst. According to Mohsen Shahedi, the Deputy Inspector General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), around 40-50 houses were swept away during the incident. Eyewitness reports described terrifying scenes as waves of water engulfed the Dharali market area, forcing residents to flee to safety.
Further complicating the situation, an Armed Forces camp situated in the lower Harsil area was also affected, resulting in approximately 10 soldiers being reported missing. Rescue teams have mobilised, including the Indian Army's Ibex Brigade, which was on the ground within minutes of the disaster to assist in the ongoing rescue operations.
Rescue Operations Underway
As of now, around 20 individuals have been rescued from the debris, according to Lieutenant Colonel Manish Srivastava from the Defence Public Relations Office. Colonel Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of the 14 Rajputana Rifles, is supervising the rescue efforts, alongside 150 personnel deployed to the site, despite facing challenges such as landslides that have obstructed access routes.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has reported that teams have evacuated an estimated 80 villagers to safety. The rescue operation has seen contributions from multiple agencies, including the NDRF, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), state police, and the local administration. In light of escalated water levels in adjacent areas, several emergency operations centres have been activated to oversee safety measures.
Government Response
The Uttarakhand state government has attributed the floods to heavy rainfall compounded by a potential cloudburst, although meteorological data indicates moderate precipitation in the region. Scientists from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) have suggested that further investigation is required to understand the cause behind the extreme weather event. Dr. Rohit Thapliyal, a climate scientist, remarked, "The region has received moderate rainfall...only a probe will reveal the reason for the floods."
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami is spearheading the relief efforts and has assured citizens that all necessary services will be restored quickly.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided assurance of central government support for rescue efforts, while Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah has also committed assistance," Chief Minister Dhami stated following discussions with senior administrative officials.
Challenges Faced
Rescue operations are reportedly hindered due to adverse weather conditions and blocked roads, requiring a coordinated response to clear paths for rescue teams. The Secretary of Disaster Management, Vinod Kumar Suman, indicated that the recovery operations are complicated by the debris found in the water.
Equipment such as victim location cameras, drones, and thermal imaging equipment have been dispatched to assist teams in locating survivors buried under the rubble. In an unprecedented move, the NDRF has also deployed cadaver dogs to find victims trapped under debris, providing closure for families as recovery continues.
Public Safety Measures
The state police have advised residents living along riverbanks in affected areas to evacuate to safer locations as risks of subsequent floods remain high. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has confirmed that the Indian Air Force is on standby to assist aerial rescue efforts, underlining the coordinated efforts to mitigate the impact of this natural disaster.
Conclusion
As efforts to salvage those missing continue, the local community is bracing for further rain warnings throughout the state. This calamity echoes previous disasters in the region, raising questions about climate change and sustainable practices in vulnerable areas. Activists stress the need for immediate measures to address ecological challenges, highlighting that the lessons from past disasters must lead to better preparedness for future events.
The situation in Uttarkashi is fluid, and authorities are prioritising recovery and support for affected families as the rescue operations unfold.
Overview of the Incident
The disaster unfolded shortly after 1:50 PM when the water levels in the Kheer Ganga River rose significantly, allegedly due to a cloudburst. According to Mohsen Shahedi, the Deputy Inspector General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), around 40-50 houses were swept away during the incident. Eyewitness reports described terrifying scenes as waves of water engulfed the Dharali market area, forcing residents to flee to safety.
Further complicating the situation, an Armed Forces camp situated in the lower Harsil area was also affected, resulting in approximately 10 soldiers being reported missing. Rescue teams have mobilised, including the Indian Army's Ibex Brigade, which was on the ground within minutes of the disaster to assist in the ongoing rescue operations.
Rescue Operations Underway
As of now, around 20 individuals have been rescued from the debris, according to Lieutenant Colonel Manish Srivastava from the Defence Public Relations Office. Colonel Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of the 14 Rajputana Rifles, is supervising the rescue efforts, alongside 150 personnel deployed to the site, despite facing challenges such as landslides that have obstructed access routes.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has reported that teams have evacuated an estimated 80 villagers to safety. The rescue operation has seen contributions from multiple agencies, including the NDRF, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), state police, and the local administration. In light of escalated water levels in adjacent areas, several emergency operations centres have been activated to oversee safety measures.
Government Response
The Uttarakhand state government has attributed the floods to heavy rainfall compounded by a potential cloudburst, although meteorological data indicates moderate precipitation in the region. Scientists from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) have suggested that further investigation is required to understand the cause behind the extreme weather event. Dr. Rohit Thapliyal, a climate scientist, remarked, "The region has received moderate rainfall...only a probe will reveal the reason for the floods."
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami is spearheading the relief efforts and has assured citizens that all necessary services will be restored quickly.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided assurance of central government support for rescue efforts, while Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah has also committed assistance," Chief Minister Dhami stated following discussions with senior administrative officials.
Challenges Faced
Rescue operations are reportedly hindered due to adverse weather conditions and blocked roads, requiring a coordinated response to clear paths for rescue teams. The Secretary of Disaster Management, Vinod Kumar Suman, indicated that the recovery operations are complicated by the debris found in the water.
Equipment such as victim location cameras, drones, and thermal imaging equipment have been dispatched to assist teams in locating survivors buried under the rubble. In an unprecedented move, the NDRF has also deployed cadaver dogs to find victims trapped under debris, providing closure for families as recovery continues.
Public Safety Measures
The state police have advised residents living along riverbanks in affected areas to evacuate to safer locations as risks of subsequent floods remain high. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has confirmed that the Indian Air Force is on standby to assist aerial rescue efforts, underlining the coordinated efforts to mitigate the impact of this natural disaster.
Conclusion
As efforts to salvage those missing continue, the local community is bracing for further rain warnings throughout the state. This calamity echoes previous disasters in the region, raising questions about climate change and sustainable practices in vulnerable areas. Activists stress the need for immediate measures to address ecological challenges, highlighting that the lessons from past disasters must lead to better preparedness for future events.
The situation in Uttarkashi is fluid, and authorities are prioritising recovery and support for affected families as the rescue operations unfold.
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