Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Just 34 Seconds Turned Dharali Village into Rubble – Chaos Gave Way to Silence
Dharali village's picture changed in a few seconds
Dehradun, August 5:
A devastating natural disaster struck Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday afternoon at exactly 1:45 PM, transforming the serene Dharali village—located along the Char Dham Yatra route—into a scene of utter devastation within seconds. A massive cloudburst triggered a deluge of debris and water that swept through the area with terrifying force.
Video footage from the scene shows how the entire village was engulfed in debris in just 34 seconds. The air was filled with screams and panic before a haunting silence settled. As of now, four deaths have been confirmed, and more than 60 people are feared missing. Many locals and tourists are believed to be trapped under the debris.
Panic and Destruction in the Market Area
As the floodwaters and debris surged towards Dharali, people were seen fleeing in desperation. Several homes, shops, and hotels were completely flattened. A large portion of the village marketplace has been buried under mud and rubble. Disturbing visuals from the site capture the chaos, cries for help, and the stampede as people ran for their lives.
Army and Rescue Agencies Swing into Action
The Indian Army responded swiftly, with 150 soldiers from the nearby Harsil camp reaching the site within 10 minutes. Rescue operations began immediately, and around 15–20 people have been rescued so far. The injured have been shifted to a military medical center.
Teams from the SDRF and NDRF are also actively engaged in the operation. SDRF IG Arun Mohan Joshi stated that specialized equipment has been deployed to assist in locating those trapped beneath the rubble.
State Government Seeks Air Force Support
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely monitoring the situation. The state government has requested support from the Indian Air Force, including two MI-series helicopters and one Chinook, to assist in rescue and relief operations.
Dharali: A Key Yet Vulnerable Stop on the Char Dham Route
Dharali, located just 10 km from Gangotri Dham and 218 km from Dehradun, lies 2 km ahead of Harsil. It is a significant halt on the Char Dham pilgrimage, home to numerous hotels, restaurants, and homestays. Because of this, the area had a high population density at the time of the disaster. Several tourists are feared missing.
The cloudburst has also severed road connectivity to Gangotri Dham from the district headquarters, adding to the urgency and complexity of the rescue efforts.
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