A Week After the Disaster

At least 66 people remain missing a week after devastating flash floods and a massive mudslide struck the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in northern India. The disaster hit on 5 August 2025, submerging nearly half of Dharali village in Uttarkashi district and causing widespread destruction.

Authorities confirmed that one body has been recovered so far, revising an earlier death toll of four. Officials said the difficult terrain, heavy rains, and road blockages are hampering search and rescue operations.

Massive Damage in Dharali and Nearby Villages

• Dharali and nearby Harsil village were among the worst affected.

• An army camp in the region also suffered severe damage.

• The Kheerganga river overflowed, carrying tonnes of mud and debris that destroyed homes, shops, and roads.

• Videos captured giant waves of muddy water sweeping away buildings within minutes.

Since the disaster, around 1,300 people have been rescued, but many are still unaccounted for.

Rescue Efforts and Challenges

Rescue teams are working around the clock, but operations are slowed by:

• Blocked highways due to mudslides

• Continuous heavy rainfall

• Formation of an artificial lake after sludge blocked the Bhagirathi River, which later feeds into the Ganga.

Sniffer dogs, earth-moving machines, and radar equipment are being used to search debris. Workers are also manually digging through the rubble where a hotel once stood, as locals believe more victims may be buried underneath.

A temporary bailey bridge has been built near Bhatwari village to improve access, while helicopters are transporting supplies and rescue teams into Dharali.

Missing Persons: Workers, Locals, and Army Personnel

According to Vinay Shankar Pandey, a senior official, the list of missing includes:

• 24 Nepalese workers

• 14 local residents

• 9 Indian Army personnel

• 13 people from Bihar

• 6 people from Uttar Pradesh

Locals, however, claim the actual number of missing people is much higher than official figures.

Weather Worsens the Crisis

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rain and thunderstorms until 14 August 2025, with a red alert issued for eight districts including Garhwal.

On Monday, a road-repair machine working near Kheerganga was swept away into the swollen river. The driver went missing, and the machine has not been recovered.

Key Takeaways

• 66 people still missing in Uttarakhand floods, including locals, workers, and soldiers.

• 1,300 rescued, but search efforts face weather and terrain challenges.

• Bhagirathi River blocked, creating an artificial lake that threatens nearby areas.

• Rescue teams using helicopters, sniffer dogs, and radar to locate survivors.

• Fresh rains and thunderstorms may worsen the situation.

The disaster in Uttarakhand highlights once again the fragile ecology of the Himalayas and the rising threat of climate change-driven extreme weather events in India’s northern states.