Uttarkashi, India — Rescue teams are racing against time and battling treacherous conditions after flash floods and landslides devastated the mountain village of Dharali in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand. At least four people have been confirmed dead, and over 100 are feared missing.
The sudden deluge struck late Tuesday, as a wall of muddy water mixed with rocks and debris surged through the valley without warning. Dharali, a popular halt for pilgrims en route to the sacred Hindu town of Gangotri, was engulfed in moments, with homes, roads, and vehicles swept away.
Heavy rains have hampered rescue operations, blocking roads and limiting access to the affected area. Emergency crews, including disaster response forces and local volunteers, are working to clear debris and locate survivors, but worsening weather continues to threaten progress.
“We are facing significant challenges due to the continued rain and unstable terrain,” one rescue official on the ground reported. “There are fears that many more people could be trapped under rubble or swept into the river.”
The Himalayan region is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather, and flash floods during the monsoon season have become increasingly frequent and deadly. Scientists have long warned that a combination of climate change and unregulated construction in ecologically sensitive zones is contributing to the scale of these disasters.
State authorities have urged residents in nearby villages to remain alert and prepare for potential evacuations. With the toll expected to rise, efforts remain focused on finding the missing and providing aid to displaced families who have lost their homes overnight.
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