A devastating cloudburst struck Dharali village near Harsil in Uttarkashi district on Tuesday morning, unleashing a torrent of destruction along the banks of the Khir Ganga river. Eyewitnesses describe a nightmarish scene as more than 60 people were swept away, with 10–12 still trapped under debris and four deaths confirmed so far, according to District Magistrate Prashant Arya.
The disaster razed 20–25 hotels, homestays, and numerous homes. Roads and shops vanished under the flood’s fury, turning the once-picturesque village into rubble. Viral videos circulating online show the terrifying scale of destruction — collapsing structures, raging waters, and desperate cries for help.
Emergency teams including the NDRF, SDRF, Army, and Police are in full swing, battling hostile conditions to rescue the missing and trapped. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called the incident deeply tragic and confirmed that operations are being carried out on a war footing.
With the IMD warning of heavy rainfall till August 10, authorities have urged residents to stay away from rivers and shift children and livestock to higher ground. As rescue efforts continue, the true toll of the Khir Ganga outrage is yet to fully emerge.
