NEW DELHI: As of Wednesday (Aug 6), at least five people have died and over 150 individuals were rescued after a devastating cloudburst triggered flash floods and landslides near Harsil and Dharali in Uttarkashi district.
One body was recovered today’s morning, confirmed ITBP. Rescue operations by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and local authorities are ongoing.
More than 100 people still feared missing, including around 11 Army personnel stationed near Harsil.
Continuous rainfall and damaged infrastructure have hampered relief efforts, raising concerns that the toll may rise.
Torrential rainfall in Uttarakhand has put obstacles in the rescue operations. IMD has predicted rainfall in the state of Uttarakhand for the next three days.
Top developments related to Uttarkashi cloudbursts
1) 413 people rescued so far: confirms ITBP
Kamlesh Kamal, ITBP Spokesperson, provided an update on the ongoing efforts, stating, “Five teams of ITBP consisting of 130 jawans are there in Dharali. More than 100 jawans are en route, and they will reach there soon… We have recovered a body this morning, and more than 100 people have been rescued. Today, we have also set up communication… Now that the equipment has been provided, it is possible that we will see that this rescue operation will gain momentum…”
He further added, “Yesterday, we got information that on the route to Kinnaur, there was a single wooden maxi-shift bridge that was washed away. We learned in the initial stage that about 100 people were stranded… Till this morning, 413 people have been rescued safely. From morning till now, 57 people have been rescued. The information is that 100 more people are stranded there. They will also be rescued by evening. We have received information that one person has lost his life there…”
2) Everything was destroyed, says Dhami after Dharali visit, confirms 190 rescued
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said Dharali village has suffered extensive destruction in the recent disaster, with debris flowing in multiple phases since the incident.
During his visit to the affected area, he met with residents and assessed the damage, describing the scene as one of complete devastation.
By evening, around 190 people had been rescued by army personnel and relocated to safer locations, while efforts to evacuate the injured to Uttarkashi are still ongoing.
He noted that landslides have severely damaged several connecting roads.
The Chief Minister assured that the state government is fully committed to relief and rehabilitation efforts, and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised full support to assist the affected people.
3) Uttarakhand MPs meet PM Modi to discuss cloudburst
MPs from Uttarakhand, Ajay Bhatt, Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Trivendra Singh Rawat, and Anil Baluni met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. On Uttarakhand MPs’ meeting with PM Modi over recent cloudburst & mudslide incident in Dharali, BJP MP Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah says, “He (the PM) has given assurance that he will provide any help that we may need.”
4) Dhami meets disaster victims of Dharali; victims share heartbreaking accounts
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met victims of the devastating cloudburst in Dharali village at the PWD Guest House in Uttarkashi and assured them of ongoing efforts to rescue those still trapped.
He said that airlift operations would begin as soon as weather conditions improve.
Victims like Mahendra Chauhan shared heartbreaking accounts of missing family members, including his sister, brother-in-law, and their child.
Another resident reported that his younger brother and his entire family had been missing since the disaster.
CM Dhami assured them that all possible resources were being mobilized for rescue and relief efforts, with special emphasis on aerial evacuation once the weather clears.
Earlier in the day, CM Dhami chaired a disaster management meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre to review the situation.
He also conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas and visited the Joshiyada helipad to oversee operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Chief Minister over the phone to take stock of the situation and assured full support from the central government.
Despite challenges posed by ongoing heavy rains, coordinated efforts by the Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF, and local agencies are continuing at full scale to rescue the missing and provide relief to the affected population.
5) IMD predicts heavy rainfall over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh for next three days
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall to continue over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh for the next three days. It also warned of isolated incidents of extremely heavy rain in northwest Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand between Tuesday and Wednesday.
6) Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami takes stock of the situation in Dharali
Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand CM reached Uttarkashi today morning. He conducted an aerial survey of the cloudburst and flash flood-affected areas in Uttarkashi’s Dharali.
7) Water level in River Ganga rises in Haridwar after continuous rainfall; 11 districts in Uttarakhand affected
Executive Engineer of the Irrigation Department, Vikas Tyagi, said that the ongoing rainy season has prompted the Meteorological Department to issue alerts across Uttarakhand.
Rainfall is currently affecting 11 districts in the state, leading to a rise in the Ganga River’s water level in Haridwar.
He noted that on the previous day, the river had reached around 293 feet, which is the warning level for the area.
By today, the level has climbed close to the danger mark, although it has not yet crossed it.
Tyagi assured that despite the heavy rains, there is no alarming situation in Haridwar at present.
The situation remains fully under control, and the department is in regular contact with the administration, which is actively monitoring the conditions.
8) Cloudburst triggers flood-like situation in Himachal’s Kinnaur; NH-05 blocked
A cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district on Wednesday (Aug 6) triggered a flood-like situation, prompting authorities to suspend the Kinner Kailash Yatra as a safety measure. According to District Commissioner Dr Amit Kumar Sharma, the cloudburst in Raldang Khad near Ribba caused heavy debris and boulders to block NH-05.
Over 400 pilgrims were rescued by the ITBP and NDRF after a bridge at Kangrang Nallah was washed away.
Sharing details on X, he said the rescue operation, carried out in complete darkness with only portable lights, lasted over nine hours and was driven by unwavering dedication.
He praised the ITBP and NDRF teams for their outstanding overnight effort.
9) Helicopters ready for rescue, will fly once weather clears: Dhami
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami told ANI, “… 10 DSP, 3 SP and around 160 police officials are engaged in carrying out rescue operations… Helicopters of the Indian Army are also ready. As soon as the weather improves, the helicopters will be used for rescue operations. Food packets, a team of doctors have been prepared. The work to restore electricity is also underway. Mobile network is not available in Dharali as of now. We are trying to reach the people. We are putting in efforts to rescue everyone safely…”
- The Statesman/ANN
