Uttarakhand is reeling from a devastating flash flood in the Uttarkashi district, triggered by a cloudburst on August 5, 2025. The deluge has claimed at least five lives and left over 60 people missing, with several others feared trapped in the debris. The flash flood, caused by a sudden cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga river's catchment area, sent torrents of water, slush, and debris racing down the hillsides. Dharali, a popular tourist spot with several hotels and homestays, has been hit particularly hard, with parts of the village submerged and buried under rubble.
As rescue operations continue, the relentless rain has created multiple obstacles for the teams. The weather, which is not letting up, has resulted in road blockages and difficulties in helicopter operations. Nearly 163 roads, including five national highways and several state and border roads, have been blocked, preventing essential rescue teams from reaching the affected areas. The location of the disaster, around 140 kilometers from the state capital Dehradun, has further complicated the situation. In light of these conditions, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed multiple rescue teams, including a special team of cadaver dogs, to locate those feared dead.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has returned to Dehradun from Andhra Pradesh, held an emergency review meeting to oversee relief efforts and ensure that search and rescue operations are expedited. The government has also ordered the closure of schools and colleges in several districts, including Dehradun, Nainital, and Tehri, due to the continuous downpour. The government’s priority is to save lives, and efforts to provide essential supplies to the affected areas are underway.
The situation worsened as rivers across the state began to swell, with the Alaknanda river in Rudraprayag reaching dangerous levels, prompting the temporary suspension of the Kedarnath Dham pilgrimage for safety. The Gomti and Sarayu rivers in Bageshwar are also overflowing, and reports from other hilly areas, such as Kotdwar, indicate severe flooding and waterlogging. In response to the widespread impact of the weather, the Meteorological Department issued a red alert for heavy rain in multiple districts of Uttarakhand, including Haridwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar, while other regions are under an orange alert.
With many areas still under threat of further floods, the people of Uttarakhand, especially in the affected districts of Uttarkashi, are facing a dire situation. The ongoing rainfall and swollen rivers continue to pose a serious risk, while rescue operations are hindered by the difficult terrain and blocked roads. As efforts to locate survivors continue, the hope is that the weather will ease, allowing the authorities to provide much-needed assistance to those still trapped in the flood-hit regions.
