Dehradun: A minimum of four individuals have lost their lives, and many are believed to be missing following a catastrophic flash flood instigated by a cloudburst in the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, which resulted in widespread devastation in Dharali village, located in Uttarkashi district, on Tuesday.

Uttarkashi district magistrate Prashant Arya has confirmed the fatalities of four individuals due to the flash flood that impacted Dharali village. “A significant surge of flash flood struck the region. We are in the process of evaluating the damage to both life and property,” Arya stated.

He further mentioned that teams from the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been dispatched to the affected regions to conduct search and rescue missions. Arya noted that the impacted area contains numerous small guest houses, hotels, and restaurants.

“Considering this, we have sent rescue teams accordingly. Teams from the tehsil and Public Works Department (PWD) have already arrived at the scene,” he added.

In the meantime, Union home minister Amit Shah has communicated with chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami concerning the significant damage inflicted by the cloudburst in the Dharali area of Uttarkashi.

The home minister has instructed the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to expedite teams to the site for relief and rescue operations.

Dramatic footage has captured the overwhelming force of the floodwaters as they ravaged Dharali village, demolishing homes, shops, and roads, leaving a path of debris and mud in their wake.

Initial reports indicate that several hotels and homestays have been entirely obliterated by the flood. Residents are concerned that 10 to 12 laborers may be trapped beneath the rubble.

Furthermore, in the Banala Patti region of Barkot tehsil, approximately 18 goats were carried away by the surging waters of the Kud Gadhera stream.

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for ongoing heavy rainfall throughout Uttarakhand until August 10, particularly in mountainous areas, where severe downpours are anticipated.

Rescue teams have been deployed from Harsil and Bhatwari, and efforts are underway to find and evacuate individuals who may be trapped.