In the wake of catastrophic flash floods that ravaged Dharali village in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, on August 5, the Maharashtra government confirmed that 51 tourists from the state are safe and efforts are ongoing to evacuate them. The floods, triggered by a cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga river catchment, left a trail of destruction, claiming at least five lives and leaving over 100 people missing, including 8-11 Indian Army soldiers from a nearby camp in Harsil.
The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) reported that 11 of the stranded tourists hail from Nanded district, with the remaining 40 from various other districts across Maharashtra. The Maharashtra government is actively coordinating with the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority and the Uttarkashi District Disaster Management Centre to ensure the tourists’ safe relocation. Teams are working through Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi to move the affected individuals to safer areas, with district administrations across Maharashtra on high alert to provide support as needed.
The cloudburst, which struck around 1:45 PM on Tuesday, unleashed a torrent of water, mud, and debris, obliterating homes, hotels, and shops in Dharali, a popular summer stopover en route to Gangotri Dham, located just 2 km from Harsil’s Indian Army base.
The disaster also severed connectivity to the revered pilgrimage site, with the Gangotri National Highway partially collapsed and 163 roads, including five national highways, blocked across Uttarakhand. Eyewitnesses described a terrifying surge of water sweeping away entire buildings in minutes, with one local stating, “Everything from hotels to markets has been destroyed. I haven’t witnessed a disaster like this before.”
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Rescue operations, hampered by relentless rain and blocked roads, involve the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and local authorities. Over 150 people have been evacuated, with 130 relocated to relief camps in schools and hotels.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who conducted an aerial survey and met affected families, has prioritized life-saving efforts, with Indian Air Force helicopters on standby for aerial rescues once weather conditions improve. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have assured full central support, with NDRF deploying cadaver dogs to locate those feared trapped under debris.
The Maharashtra SEOC has issued helpline numbers for assistance: 9321587143, 022-22027990, and 022-22794229. The Uttarakhand State Emergency Operations Centre can be reached at 0135-2710334/821, and Uttarkashi’s District Emergency Operation Centre at 01374-222126, 01374-222722, and 9456556431. Authorities have urged tourists to avoid travel to Uttarkashi, Harsil, and riverbank areas, with a red alert for heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand until August 10.
The disaster underscores the Himalayan region’s vulnerability to climate-driven extreme weather, exacerbated by unregulated construction and deforestation, with experts calling for AI-driven forecasting and better infrastructure planning to mitigate future risks. As rescue efforts continue, Maharashtra’s stranded tourists remain a priority, with hopes for their swift and safe return.
Also Read: Uttarkashi Cloudburst: CM Dhami Leads Rescue Efforts Amid Devastation