đź•’ Last updated on August 6, 2025
In a sudden and terrifying disaster, a massive flash flood slammed into the quiet Himalayan town of Dharali in India’s Uttarakhand state on Tuesday.
A peaceful town turns into a scene of destruction
What began as a normal day turned into a nightmare as a raging wall of mud, rocks, and water tore down a mountain valley and smashed into buildings, homes, and roads.
Videos shared by news channels showed a terrifying scene—fast-moving brown water filled with debris charging through the valley. Entire multi-story buildings were swallowed in seconds. People were seen running for their lives before being overtaken by the powerful torrent.
A path of damaged structures and buried dwellings was left behind as the town was quickly overtaken by the flash flood, which was brought on by an unexpected cloudburst. When very heavy rain falls quickly, usually in hilly regions, it’s called a cloudburst. This rainfall, reported to be about 21 centimeters (eight inches) in isolated parts of the region, was enough to trigger a deadly mudslide.
By the time the storm passed, at least four people had lost their lives. Rescue teams rushed in as quickly as possible, but the thick mud and blocked paths made their work very difficult. Officials fear the number of deaths may increase as the search continues.
Rescue teams work around the clock in the mud and chaos
The rescue operation began immediately after the flood hit. Soldiers, emergency workers, and disaster response teams were sent to the area “on a war footing.” Over 150 army personnel reached Dharali and helped pull out around 20 people who had survived the wave of destruction.
Images from the site taken after the main wave passed show houses half-buried in thick mud. In some places, only rooftops of buildings were visible above the sludge. Streets, gardens, and even farmlands disappeared under the debris.
The army said that a sudden flow of material across the center of the town was caused by a large mudslide. People who had been indoors were caught completely off guard. Many are still believed to be trapped or missing.
Efforts are being made to find and evacuate anyone still stranded. Search teams are using every available tool and machine to dig through the sludge. Medical support has also been brought in to help the injured.
The mud is cold, heavy, and slow-moving, making rescue work even harder. But teams are pushing forward without pause, trying to save lives before it is too late.
Heavy monsoon rains and rising risks in the hills
Every year, during India’s monsoon season from June to September, heavy rains cause floods and landslides in the hill states. But disasters like the one in Dharali are becoming more common and more intense. Scientists say this is partly because of climate change and how we are building more towns and roads in fragile mountain areas.
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In Uttarakhand, the India Meteorological Department had already issued a red alert for extreme weather. The rainfall was unusually heavy, with some areas receiving record levels of precipitation in just a few hours. This extreme downpour triggered the deadly cloudburst.
The muddy floodwaters didn’t just damage homes and roads—they uprooted entire buildings. Videos showed concrete structures collapsing like cardboard boxes as the waves hit. Trees, cars, and debris were swept along, turning the flood into a fast-moving wall of destruction.
Officials say search and rescue work will continue until everyone is accounted for. Relief materials, including food, water, and blankets, are being sent to the area. The army and disaster response teams are also setting up shelters for those who have lost their homes.
As the rescue teams battle through mud and broken roads, the community of Dharali is left counting its losses. Families are still searching for missing loved ones, while others sit in shock watching their homes disappear under layers of thick sludge.