Cloudburst Triggers Flash Floods In Uttarkashi’s Dharali, Several Feared Missing As Homes, Hotels Swept Away
A cloudburst in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river led to massive flash floods in the high-altitude villages of Dharali in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday. Several people are feared missing as houses and hotels were swept away in the raging waters.
Both ITBP and NDRF teams have been directed to reach the spot. A 16-member team from the Indo-Tibetan Border Force (ITBP) has arrived at the cloudburst site to assist in the rescue operations, news agency ANI reported.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding the severe damage caused by the cloudburst in Dharali. Uttarakhand CM took to X to inform he is in constant touch with the officials concerned and is closely monitoring the situation.
“The news of heavy damage caused by a cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) region is extremely sad and distressing. SDRF, NDRF, district administration, and other related teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing. In this regard, I am in constant contact with senior officials, and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to God for everyone’s safety,” Dhami wrote on X.
About 10-12 people could be buried under the debris, Rajesh Panwar, a villager, told PTI. He further said that around 20-25 hotels and homestays may have been washed away.
Videos from the area where the cloudburst took place showed a torrent of water rushing down. There was panic in villages in the area, with people screaming and scrambling for dry ground.
Uttarkashi Police also took to X to confirm teh disaster, adivising people to maintain a safe distance from the Kheer Gad river in the Harsil area.
“In Uttarkashi, due to the rising water level of Kheer Gad in the Harsil area, reports of damage in Dharali have prompted police, SDRF, army, and other disaster response teams to engage in relief and rescue operations at the site,” it said in a post on X.
“Ensure that you, children, and livestock are kept at a safe distance from the river,” it added.
