New Delhi, August 5, 2025: A massive mudslide triggered by heavy monsoon rains tore through a village in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand on Tuesday, leaving at least four people dead and more than 50 others missing, officials confirmed.
The disaster struck Dharali village in the Kheer Gad area near Harsil, located in the Himalayan district of Uttarkashi, as torrential rain unleashed a deluge of water and debris down the mountainside. The landslide buried homes, washed away roads, and left a trail of destruction in its wake.
Rescue teams from the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to the area, working under difficult conditions to locate survivors trapped beneath layers of mud and rubble.
“A major mudslide hit Dharali village, unleashing a fast-moving stream of debris through the settlement,” the Indian Army’s Central Command said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). “Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing.”
Dramatic video footage shared by local news channels captured the terrifying moment when the mudslide crashed through the village, sweeping away structures as panicked residents fled for their lives. Several homes have reportedly been completely buried.
District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed that four bodies had been recovered and multiple people rescued. “We are continuing search and rescue operations. The situation remains critical,” he said.
The Chief Minister’s Office of Uttarakhand also released footage of the aftermath, showing widespread devastation across the village.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the affected families and assured that all possible assistance was being provided. “Rescue teams are on the ground and working tirelessly. Our thoughts are with those impacted by this tragedy,” he said in a message on social media.
Uttarakhand, a mountainous state prone to natural disasters, is especially vulnerable during the monsoon season. Environmental experts have repeatedly warned that the region’s fragile ecology, combined with aggressive construction and deforestation, is increasing the frequency and intensity of such disasters.
In 2021, flash floods in the state killed over 200 people and destroyed key infrastructure, including two hydroelectric projects.
With over 10,000 glaciers in the Indian Himalayan region, many now rapidly retreating due to rising temperatures, scientists caution that climate change is heightening the risk of flash floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst events.
Search and rescue efforts in Dharali remain ongoing as rain continues to hamper operations.
