Flash Floods Kill 4 in Uttarakhand; Heavy Rain Warning Issued, Rescue Operations Ongoing

Uttarkashi Cloudburst Tragedy: 4 Dead, Army Jawans Missing as Rain Batters Uttarakhand.

Relentless rain continued to lash Uttarakhand on Wednesday, a day after a cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga catchment area triggered flash floods and a massive mudslide in the state’s Uttarkashi district. The sudden disaster has left at least four people dead and nine Army personnel missing, while many are feared trapped under debris.

What Happened?
The cloudburst sent torrents of water, sludge, and debris crashing into Dharali — a tourist village near Gangotri. Visuals show half the settlement buried in rubble. The flash floods also swept down to Sukki village on the opposite slope, causing further devastation.

Rescue Ops in Full Swing
Rescue efforts are underway on a war footing but are being hampered by treacherous weather, blocked roads, and landslides. Helicopters have been grounded due to poor visibility, and more than 160 roads across the state — including five national highways — are closed.

Three NDRF teams (35 members each) have reached the disaster zone, with two more awaiting airlift from Dehradun. For the first time, cadaver dogs trained to locate bodies under debris are being flown in from Delhi to assist.

Red Alert, Schools Shut
The IMD has issued a red alert for intense rain in Haridwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar. An orange alert is in place for the rest of the state. Schools and colleges have been ordered shut in nine districts, including Dehradun, Chamoli, Tehri, and Pauri.

CM Dhami Returns, Chairs Emergency Meet
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami cut short a visit to Andhra Pradesh and returned to Dehradun to review the situation. He urged officials to prioritise saving lives and ensure relief supplies reach cut-off areas.

Pilgrimage Suspended, Rivers Swell
The Kedarnath Yatra has been temporarily suspended due to the rising Alaknanda river in Rudraprayag. The Gomti and Sarayu rivers are also in spate, while heavy rain continues in Kotdwar, Bageshwar, and surrounding hill districts.