Uttarkashi cloudburst latest news: Over 100 rescued, school holiday in several districts; IMD issues red alert

Flash floods have wrecked havoc in Uttarkashi (AFP)

At least four people were killed and over 50 missing after multiple cloudburss and flash floods struck Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday. As per latest official statements, around 10 Indian Army jawans are also missing. School holidays have been declared in several districts. The IMD has issued a red alert for Uttarakhand. Here are latest updates from Uttarkashi:

• A devastating cloudburst struck Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, leading to the deaths of at least four individuals, while several others are still unaccounted for.

• Raging floodwaters swept away multiple homes in the affected area, with videos on social media capturing the extent of the destruction.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have both spoken to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and assured the Centre’s full support in the ongoing rescue operations.

• Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been dispatched for relief work, alongside teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) already on the ground.

• According to locals, the cloudburst occurred in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, which triggered the sudden and destructive flooding.

• Chief Minister Dhami convened a meeting with officials at the State Disaster Operations Centre in Dehradun to assess the evolving situation and direct relief measures.

• Tehri Garhwal MP Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah stated that this cloudburst appears to be even more severe than the infamous 2013 disaster.

• She confirmed that both state and central aid are being mobilized, though rescue operations are facing delays due to road blockages in several areas.

• Preliminary updates from NDRF Deputy Inspector General Mohsen Shahedi indicate that 40 to 50 homes have been swept away and more than 50 people remain missing.

• He added that the disaster took place around 2 p.m. in Harsil town, and three NDRF teams—each comprising 35 trained personnel—have been dispatched and will arrive shortly.

• The teams are equipped to carry out complex rescue operations, and a large-scale effort is being planned to reach those trapped.

• Meanwhile, AIIMS Rishikesh has placed its Trauma Centre on high alert to provide immediate medical attention to any victims brought in from Uttarkashi.

Haridwar helpline numbers

7310913129, 01374-222722, 7500737269

ERSS Toll-Free No – 112

Toll-Free No – 1077

Dehradun Helpline numbers

9058441404, 0135-2710334, 8218867005, 2710335

ERSS Toll-Free No – 112

Toll-Free No – 1070,