A wave of sadness and fear has swept across the hills of Uttarakhand. More than 100 people are missing, and one person has lost their life after sudden flash floods hit the quiet village of Dharali in Uttarkashi district.
It all began on a rainy Tuesday afternoon, when nature unleashed its fury. Around 1:30 PM, a powerful cloudburst caused the Kheerganga River to overflow. What followed was terrifying — tons of muddy water rushed down the mountains, washing away roads, buildings, and everything in its path.
So far, nearly 190 people have been rescued, but many are still unaccounted for — including at least 10 soldiers from a nearby army base.
A Village Turned Into a Riverbed
Dharali, once a quiet and scenic retreat just 2 kilometers from Harsil, was suddenly thrown into chaos as raging floodwaters swept through, leaving the village buried in water and rubble. Roads are destroyed, making it hard for rescue teams to reach the area. Helicopters have been deployed to assist in rescuing those trapped by the floods.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flew in by helicopter on Wednesday and met families whose lives have been torn apart. Their faces told stories of shock, loss, and helplessness.
Nature’s Wrath Creates a New Danger
The flood created more than just destruction — it blocked part of the Bhagirathi river with thick sludge and rocks, forming an artificial lake. This is dangerous because if the water level rises too much, it could burst and flood more villages downstream.
A government helipad is already underwater, and large areas of the land are submerged. Rescue workers are racing against time to drain the lake before it causes more damage.
Warnings Came — But Nature Moved Faster
The meteorological department had issued alerts about intense rainfall and the risk of landslides. Tourists were advised not to travel to the region. Thankfully, due to the warnings and the off-season, very few visitors were in Dharali. Locals believe that if more tourists had been there, the disaster could have been even worse.
Still, for the people of Uttarakhand, the trauma is all too real. Their homes are gone. Loved ones are missing. Roads are destroyed. And memories lie buried under the mud.
A Painful Reminder of the Past
Uttarakhand has seen such pain before. In 2021, over 200 people died due to similar flash floods. In 2013, one of the worst disasters hit Kedarnath, where thousands of people were swept away by floods and landslides. Many bodies were never found.
These disasters keep repeating — reminding us of the fragility of life in the mountains and the urgent need to protect nature.
Prayers for Uttarakhand
While rescue teams work tirelessly on the ground, people across the nation are offering their support and prayers to those affected in Uttarakhand. Let us send them our strength, hope, and prayers.