Flash flood and debris slide devastate Dharali in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
A flash flood and debris slide along the Kheer Ganga swept through Dharali village in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district on the afternoon of 5 August 2025, killing at least four people with dozens feared missing.
Summary
Dharali village in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand was hit by a flash flood and massive debris slide on the afternoon of Tuesday, 5 August 2025, after the water level in the Kheer Ganga river rose sharply. At least four persons were killed and dozens were feared washed away or trapped, as hotels, shops and restaurants in the Dharali market area were swept away; the town is about 8,600 feet above sea level. The state government attributed the floods to a cloudburst, but an IMD scientist told The Indian Express that rainfall data from Harsil (8 mm between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm) did not meet the cloudburst criterion of 100 mm or more per hour. Rescue teams faced landslide-blocked roads and bad weather in reaching the site.
Key facts
- Date
- 5 Aug 2025 (afternoon)
- Place
- Dharali, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand
- River
- Kheer Ganga
- Altitude
- About 8,600 ft
- Toll (initial)
- At least 4 dead; dozens feared missing
- Cause
- Attributed to cloudburst by state govt; IMD data did not meet cloudburst criterion
- Cloudburst criterion
- 100 mm or more rain per hour
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Dharali, devastated by a flash flood and debris slide on 5 August 2025, is in which district of Uttarakhand?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Uttarkashi
Dharali village lies in Uttarkashi district; the flash flood followed a sharp rise in the Kheer Ganga river.
Consider the following statements about the Dharali disaster of 5 August 2025: 1. The flash flood followed a sharp rise in the water level of the Kheer Ganga river. 2. IMD data from Harsil showed rainfall of over 100 mm per hour, confirming a cloudburst. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: the Dharali market area was hit after the Kheer Ganga's water level rose. Statement 2 is incorrect: an IMD scientist said Harsil recorded only 8 mm between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, which does not meet the cloudburst criterion of 100 mm or more per hour.