The disaster struck on August 6, when a cloudburst over the Kheer Ganga river’s catchment area caused sudden and forceful flooding. The raging waters swept away several houses and infrastructure, leaving behind a trail of destruction. So far, at least five lives have been lost, while nearly 200 people have been successfully rescued from the region.
Uttarkashi Flash Floods: Heavy Rain Forecast For Uttarakhand
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a series of weather alerts for the state, warning of more rain in the coming days:
August 8: Heavy showers are expected in parts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Dehradun, Pauri, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Udham Singh Nagar, Champawat, and Nainital. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and intense spells of rain could hit several areas.
August 9: Isolated heavy rainfall is predicted in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Dehradun, and Nainital. Widespread thunderstorm activity with lightning and heavy downpours is likely.
August 10: Bageshwar is forecasted to receive very heavy rain in some parts. Heavy showers may also occur in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Dehradun, and Champawat.
August 11: Bageshwar district remains at high risk of very heavy rainfall. Dehradun and Nainital may also witness heavy rain in isolated pockets. Thunderstorms with lightning and intense downpours are possible across many districts.
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Uttarkashi Flash Floods Updates
– Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the State Disaster Control Room on Thursday to monitor relief and rescue activities. He also travelled to the affected areas to meet with locals and assess damage firsthand.
– In Sainji village, where multiple homes were completely destroyed, the state government has granted ₹1.3 lakh each to 15 families as immediate relief from the State Disaster Relief Fund.
– So far, 274 individuals have been rescued, but several are still believed to be trapped in Gangotri. Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan confirmed that operations will continue until everyone is accounted for.
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– Maharashtra’s Minister of Relief and Rehabilitation, Yogesh Ramdas Kadam, reported that while 151 tourists from Maharashtra are known to be in the region, about 30–31 remain out of contact. State and central agencies are coordinating to trace and safely evacuate them.
– Rescue operations have seen significant mobilisation, with Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters airlifting civilians from remote areas. Armed forces are providing stranded tourists in Gangotri with essential supplies, including food, shelter, and medical assistance.
– Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Indian Army are actively engaged in the ongoing search and rescue missions across Dharali, Harsil, and other difficult terrains.
– Infrastructure has taken a major hit, with landslides damaging key roads like the Ganganani–Harsil stretch. While the Gangotri Highway near Papargad has been reopened, repair work is in full swing near Ganganani, where a vital bridge was completely washed away.