Flash floods devastated an Indian mountain village of Dharali in the northeastern state of Uttarakhand on Tuesday after a cloudburst unleashed torrents that killed four people and left dozens missing, with fears that up to 12 victims remain buried under debris as rescue teams race against time.
Videos show the pandemonium that ensued as the rapid force of the rain headed toward the village, with many locals whistling to warn their neighbors. Many were seen fleeing for the lives, but it was unclear if they made it alive.
The town is a key tourist stopover for pilgrims en route to the sacred Gangotri shrine in the northeastern part of the country and is a popular tourist attraction with hotels and restaurants serving those heading for tours in the Himalayas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally contacted Uttarakhand's chief minister after the cloudburst-triggered floods claimed wiped out parts of Dharali village, as rescue teams including army personnel deployed from nearby Harsil work frantically to locate survivors trapped under debris.
Video: The flash flood in India on August 5, 2025 / Credit: Indian social media
The high-altitude crucial stopover for Gangotri pilgrims saw the sudden outburst of rain from a cloud on the mountain,. While officials estimate that 20-25 tourist accommodations and homestays were completely destroyed by the torrential waters, Indian Express reported. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on social media platform X that State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, and district emergency teams are operating with maximum urgency to address the crisis.
"I am in constant touch with senior officials. The situation is being monitored closely," Dhami stated, conveying his sorrow over the casualties. Panic spread throughout adjacent villages as video footage from the disaster zone captured frightening scenes of muddy water filled with debris crashing through residential areas.
๐๐ญLet hill stations be. Let ecologically sensitive places be. Don't kill them under the garb of tourism. Don't be greedy. There are 100s of places like this precariously placed waiting for disaster. Let it be. Undo all the damage NOW ๐ญ๐#Uttarakhand #uttarkashicloudburst pic.twitter.com/EwNA0i4h43
โ Saikiran Kannan | ่ตๅบๅ ฐๅๅ (@saikirankannan) August 5, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sympathy Tuesday through a social media post to families affected by the devastating flash floods in Dharali, Uttarkashi. "I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami ji and obtained information about the situation. Under the supervision of the state government, relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort. No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people," the Prime Minister wrote.
''People fleeing from homes to stay alive, but many were seen being swept away in no time''
Massive devastation in Dharali village near Gangotri Dham, likelihood of many people being killed, may God protect everyone ๐๐ป๐๐ป#Uttarakhand #Uttarkashi #Cloudburst #Dharali pic.twitter.com/v4IFLkzQXp
โ Sumit (@SumitHansd) August 5, 2025
Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra both conveyed their grief regarding the deaths caused by the cloudburst in Dharali, which generated flash floods and resulted in at least four confirmed fatalities. Gandhi urged authorities to accelerate rescue operations and appealed to Congress workers to provide assistance.
