Over 100 Missing After Flash Floods Devastate Northern India
Cloudburst triggers flash floods in Uttarakhand, leaving over 100 missing and rescue efforts ongoing.
- More than 100 people are missing and at least one person has been confirmed dead
- The disaster struck Dharali village in Uttarkashi district
- Images released by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) show widespread destruction
More than 100 people are missing and at least one person has been confirmed dead after a powerful cloudburst triggered flash floods in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand on Tuesday.
The disaster struck Dharali village in Uttarkashi district, where a sudden surge of water and debris swept through the area, submerging roads, damaging buildings, and cutting off entire communities.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with Indian Army teams already on the ground in Dharali. However, continuous rainfall and severely damaged roads have hampered efforts by additional rescue forces and district officials to reach the affected zones.
“About 130 people have been rescued so far,” Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told reporters on Wednesday morning, adding that the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Images released by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) show widespread destruction, with mudslides, collapsed roads, and isolated villages.
The flash floods were triggered by a cloudburst — a sudden and intense downpour over a localized area. The incident occurred around 1:30 PM local time (08:00 GMT) on Tuesday, causing the Kheerganga River to swell rapidly. The force of the floodwaters sent torrents of mud and debris crashing down the mountainous terrain.
Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state frequently battered by monsoon rains, has seen persistent downpours in recent weeks. Uttarkashi district, in particular, has been one of the hardest-hit areas.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as rescue teams work to locate those missing and restore access to cut-off communities.
