new delhi, Aug 5
Just hours after a deadly cloudburst hit Harsil village in Uttarakhand, shocking before-and-after photos appeared online, showing the scale of destruction. The “before” photo showed a peaceful Himalayan village with visible roads and houses surrounded by greenery. In the “after” photo, everything was gone—only muddy water covered the area.
The cloudburst came suddenly, cutting off the village completely. Rescue teams are now working to reach the area. The images have caused alarm and worry, drawing attention to how such extreme weather events are becoming more common in the region.
Several people are feared dead after a massive cloudburst triggered a landslide and flash flood in Dharali village of Uttarakhand’s Uttar-kashi district on Tuesday. The cloudburst that struck on the hilltop above the Kheer Ganga river caused widespread devastation as several houses, hotels, and buildings were swept away in the flash flood.
Indian Army personnel launched rescue operations following a landslide near Dharali village, about 4 km from the Army Camp in Harshil, around 1:45 PM today. So far, 15 to 20 people have been safely evacuated, and those injured are being treated at the Army’s medical facility in Harshil. Search and rescue operations are still underway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. He stated that he had spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and taken stock of the situation.
Taking to X, PM Modi said, “I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. Along with this, I pray for the well-being of all the victims. 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 assisting the people.”
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took stock of the situation. Shah informed via X that ITBP and NDRF teams had been dispatched to the site.
“Spoke with the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand regarding the flash flood incident in Dharali (Uttarkashi) to gather information about the event. Three nearby ITBP teams have been sent there, and four NDRF teams have also been dispatched to the site, which will soon arrive and engage in rescue operations,” Shah said in his X post. Chief Minister Dhami said the situation was being monitored continuously, and that teams of the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and the district administration were at the spot carrying out rescue operations in the affected areas.
“Relief and rescue operations are underway by the district administration, Indian Army, NDRF, and SDRF teams in the affected areas of Dharali (Uttarkashi). People are being evacuated to safe locations on a priority basis, and the situation is being continuously monitored. The administration is fully alert and providing all possible assistance to the affected citizens,” he said.
