Uttarkashi cloudburst: Terrifying videos, photos show scale of destruction; village swept away in seconds

This handout photograph taken on August 5, 2025 and released by Uttarakhand's State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) shows muddy water running past residential buildings following a massive mudslide in India's Uttarakhand state. Rescue teams were deployed on August 5, to Himalayan region after flash floods tore down a mountain valley, appearing to wipe away much of a town, where at least four people were killed. (AFP)

Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi, an ecologically fragile Himalayan region, was struck with cloudburst and flash floods on Tuesday. Terrifying visuals circulating on social media showed complete devastation as flash floods swept through a mountain valley. Uttarkashi DM has confirmed the death toll to 4, which is set to rise as rescuers reach the remote places. Television footage aired by media showed torrents of muddy water demolishing multi-storey buildings in Dharali, a popular tourist destination in Uttarakhand.

BREAKING: Dehradun: Massive flood in the Khir Ganga river in Uttarkashi. Water carrying silt cascades into Tharali village. Many feared trapped. Disaster teams rushed. pic.twitter.com/wtXVrqYBzL

— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) August 5, 2025

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that emergency teams were being deployed “on a war footing” to handle the crisis.

According to senior local official Prashant Arya, four deaths had been confirmed, though authorities warned the toll could rise.

“Fortunately, a majority of residents were attending a fair in a safer area,” said a disaster management official, speaking anonymously as he wasn’t authorised to brief the press.

बद्रीनाथ राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग (NH-58) पर पागलनाला एवं भनेरपानी के पास मलबा आने के कारण मार्ग अवरुद्ध हो गया है।

Story continues below Advertisement

Remove Ad

मलबा हटाने एवं मार्ग सुचारु करने का कार्य प्रगति पर है। pic.twitter.com/mc56KhGEk8

— Chamoli Police Uttarakhand (@chamolipolice) August 5, 2025

The Indian Army confirmed its teams had reached the affected area.

“A massive mudslide hit Dharali, unleashing a sudden surge of debris and water through the town,” the army said in a statement.

Photos shared by the military after the main floodwaters receded showed thick, slow-moving mud blanketing much of the area.

Large portions of the town lay buried under layers of debris, with some rooftops barely visible above the sludge.

Meanwhile, officials have said that schools and colleges will remain shut tomorrow.

Uttarakhand govt issues helpline

- 7500737269

- 9058441404

- 0135-2710334

- 7310913129

- 01374-222722

- 8218867005