At least four people have been confirmed dead after floods swept through the Himalayan town of Dharali in India’s Uttarakhand state, destroying buildings and triggering landslides.
Footage aired on Indianj television showed torrents of muddy water sweeping away multi-storey buildings, submerging roads, and devastating large parts of the popular tourist destination.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the situation as critical, saying emergency teams had been deployed “on a war footing” to search for survivors and assist displaced residents.
According to AFP, an official Prashant Arya confirmed that four people had died in the flooding, while others warned the death toll could rise as recovery efforts continue.
“A massive mudslide struck Dharali… triggering a sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement,” the Indian Army said, adding that its personnel had reached the scene.
Satellite and drone images released by the military showed homes buried in mud and debris, with only rooftops visible in some areas.
A disaster management officer, speaking anonymously to AFP, said the situation could have been worse had most residents not been away attending a local fair at the time of the flood.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences to victims and pledged full federal support.
“No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people,” he wrote on X.
The flood, according to state officials, was triggered by a sudden and intense cloudburst—an extreme weather event that brought nearly 21 centimeters (eight inches) of rainfall in parts of Uttarakhand.
The rainfall prompted the India Meteorological Department to issue a red alert for the region.
Dhami called the destruction “extremely sad and distressing” and said he remained in close contact with emergency authorities.
“I pray to God for everyone’s safety,” he said.
Uttarakhand, located in the Himalayan foothills, is prone to natural disasters, especially during the June–September monsoon season.
However, experts warn that climate change and unchecked urban development are accelerating the frequency and severity of such events.
The World Meteorological Organization has repeatedly highlighted the increasing occurrence of intense floods and droughts worldwide as a warning sign of a destabilizing global water cycle driven by climate change.
