At least four people have died and more than 50 are missing after a devastating cloudburst triggered a massive landslide in Dharali village of Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, August 5. The disaster struck around 1:45 PM, just 4 km from the Indian Army camp at Harsil, severing road connectivity to the sacred Gangotri Dham.
The powerful deluge swept through the region with water and debris tumbling down the hillsides, destroying houses and uprooting vegetation. Shocking visuals captured by tourists showed a violent torrent racing down the slopes, highlighting the scale of devastation.
The affected zone lies close to Mukhba, the winter abode of Ganga Ji, and the revered pilgrimage site of Gangotri. The Kheer Gadh drain in the Harsil area overflowed due to the sudden cloudburst, worsening the destruction.
An emergency response has been launched, with teams from the Uttarkashi Police, State and National Disaster Response Forces (SDRF, NDRF), and the Indian Army engaged in rescue and relief operations. The Army, already stationed nearby, was among the first to act, rescuing at least 15 people from the worst-hit areas. Search operations continue amid challenging conditions.
