Uttarakhand floods: Many feared dead, over 50 missing, as flash flood engulfs Dharali market in Uttarkashi (VIDEOS)

Indian officials said Tuesday a cloudburst triggered flash flooding in the northern state of Uttarakhand, washing away a Himalayan village.

At least four people were killed, according to a local official. Indian broadcaster NDTV reported that more than 50 were feared missing. 

What we know so far

The flood waters swamped houses, swept away roads and destroyed a local market in the Dharali village. 

Prashant Arya, an administrative officer, said about a dozen hotels were washed away and several shops collapsed. 

Footage on social media showed a stream of water seemingly wiping away houses down a hill toward the village.  

Village washed away, several feared missing after a major cloudburst struck Dharali village in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi.#uttarkhand #uttarkashi #uttarkashicloudburst #uttarkashiflood #UttarakhandNews #uttarakhandrain #cloudburst #Flashflood pic.twitter.com/s1R0nuJdx5

— Webdunia English (@WDEng_Portal) August 5, 2025

Police urged people to stay away from rivers. 

Rescue teams deployed

The Indian military said its first teams reached Dharali, which was hit by a "massive mudslide" that prompted a sudden flow of debris and water.

Swift Response by Indian Army in #Dharali Landslide Rescue

Following a landslide near Dharali village in #Uttarkashi district of # Uttrakhand on 05 Aug, the #IndianArmy swiftly mobilised over 150 personnel from Harshil Camp, reaching the site within 10 minutes.

Rescue… pic.twitter.com/tX2UnOPCKs

— PRO Defence, Manipur, Nagaland & South Arunachal (@prodefkohima) August 5, 2025

Uttarakhand's state chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, said rescue teams had been deployed "on a war footing."

"We are doing everything possible to save lives and provide relief," he said in a statement.

The National Disaster Management Authority said it asked for helicopters from the federal government to assist, as rescuers struggled to access the remote terrain.

Flash floods in Uttarakhand 

The Himalayan region is prone to flash floods and landslides during the monsoon season, with cloudbursts making the phenomena more intense. 

In 2021, more than 200 people were killed in Uttarakhand as flash floods swept away two hydroelectric projects.

There are about 10,000 glaciers in the Indian Himalayas, many of which are receding due to climate change.