Uttarkashi Cloudburst: At Least 4 Dead, Many Missing – PM Modi and HM Shah Assure Full Support to Uttarakhand

A sudden cloudburst in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, on Monday, August 5, has caused heavy destruction, leading to at least four confirmed deaths and many people feared missing or washed away in the flash floods and landslides that followed.

According to confirmed inputs from disaster response teams, the cloudburst took place in the Maldaru and Himri Tok areas of Mori block, a region known for its steep terrain and vulnerability during monsoon season.

What Happened?

Around midnight, intense and sudden rainfall hit the region, triggering landslides, swollen rivers, and house collapses. Initial reports from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local officials confirm that multiple homes were washed away, and roads have been blocked in several parts of the district due to debris and mudslides.

The incident has disrupted normal life in Dunda, Purola, and Mori, where rescue efforts are ongoing. Many villagers were forced to flee their homes in the dark, and some are reported missing after being swept away by the strong current of flash floods.

Rescue Operations Underway

As of Tuesday morning, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF teams have been deployed in full force. Rescue operations are being conducted in difficult terrain with support from helicopters and drones.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is constantly monitoring the situation from Dehradun and has issued instructions to district officials to speed up rescue and relief work.

In a press briefing, officials confirmed that:

• 4 bodies have been recovered
• 10+ people are still missing
• 3 bridges have collapsed
• Electricity and water supply disrupted in affected areas

PM Modi and Amit Shah React

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah both personally spoke to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to take stock of the situation.

PM Modi said in a post on social media:

“Saddened by the loss of lives due to the cloudburst in Uttarkashi. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Rescue operations are underway, and all possible help is being extended.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also tweeted:

“I have spoken to CM Dhami and assured full help from the Centre. Teams from NDRF and other agencies have been rushed. We are monitoring the situation closely.”

Villagers in Panic, Shelters Set Up

Many villages have reported heavy damage to homes and farmland. In remote hamlets like Netwar and Naitwar, residents described the scenes as “terrifying,” with water rushing down from the hills like a waterfall, sweeping away anything in its path.

The state government has set up temporary shelters and relief camps in safer zones. Dry ration, medicines, and drinking water are being supplied through helicopter drops in areas that are still unreachable by road.

According to Uttarkashi DM Abhishek Ruhela, evacuation efforts are on in high-risk villages. “We are focusing on rescuing people from isolated areas and restoring basic services like power, water, and communication,” he added.

Background: Uttarkashi’s Monsoon Woes

Uttarkashi is no stranger to natural disasters. The Himalayan terrain, combined with deforestation, fragile soil, and erratic rainfall, makes the region prone to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides.

In 2021 and 2023, similar incidents had left dozens dead in Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts. Experts continue to raise concerns over unchecked construction, climate change, and lack of early warning systems.

Editorial Opinion

The Jan Jagran Darpan Editorial Team believes that while nature’s fury cannot always be predicted, the impact can be reduced with proper planning, early alerts, and strong disaster management systems.

Uttarkashi, being a sensitive zone, needs more automated weather stations, trained local disaster volunteers, and better road connectivity for quicker evacuations. The increasing trend of cloudbursts in Himalayan states like Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand signals that climate resilience must be taken seriously.

We urge the government to not just focus on rescue operations but also on long-term planning and preventive measures, especially in eco-sensitive mountain regions.

Key Updates (as of 6 PM, Aug 5, 2025):

Event	Details
Cloudburst Location	Mori Block, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
Time of Incident	Around midnight, August 5
Confirmed Dead	4
Missing Persons	10+ (still unconfirmed)
Bridges Collapsed	3
Relief Camps	5 operational
Govt Help	NDRF, SDRF, helicopters, CM monitoring
Centre’s Role	PM & Home Minister in touch with CM, Centre to provide all help
Weather Forecast	More rainfall expected in the next 48 hours

Conclusion

The tragedy in Uttarkashi is a reminder of the growing risk of extreme weather events in India’s hill states. While rescue efforts are in full swing, many are left grieving the loss of loved ones and homes.

As our ground teams continue to follow this story, Jan Jagran Darpan promises to bring only verified, responsible, and people-focused reporting to ensure that voices from disaster-hit zones are heard and help reaches where it’s most needed.