On 5th August 2023, a massive cloudburst occurred in Dharali village, near Gangotri in Uttarakhand, leading to widespread devastation. The cloudburst was followed by landslides, causing major destruction. Four people have been confirmed dead, and more than 100 people are still missing. The incident occurred around 1:45 PM when the cloudburst hit, followed by a mountain collapse that brought along debris, flooding the area.
The ongoing rescue operations have so far successfully rescued over 130 people, with teams from SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, and the Army working tirelessly. On 6th August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, who then conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas and held a meeting with officials regarding the rescue operation.
One of the most affected places was the Dharali village market, where buildings, houses, and hotels were washed away. The flash flood caused by the debris from the mountains swept away everything in just 34 seconds. The disaster has also left several army personnel missing, including 8-10 soldiers from the Harsil area.
Dharali village, which lies in the Trans-Himalayan region, has faced similar disasters in the past. In 1864, 2013, and 2014, cloudbursts have devastated the village, with the 'Khir Nala' causing massive damage each time. Geologists had warned the state government about the vulnerability of Dharali and recommended relocating the village to a safer place. However, the government had not taken action, and Dharali remains at high risk.
According to senior geologist Prof. S.P. Sati, Dharali lies on a geological fault, making it a highly sensitive area prone to earthquakes and flash floods. The area from where the Khir Ganga River originates is over 6000 meters high, and whenever a flood occurs, Dharali faces complete destruction. Approximately six months ago, part of the mountain collapsed into the Khir River but got stuck. This time, it is speculated that the same portion of the mountain broke loose, adding to the devastation.
The disaster also led to the destruction of the ancient Kalp Kedarnath temple, which was over 1500 years old. Situated along the Bhagirathi River, this temple was an important religious site, particularly for devotees of the Panch Kedar tradition. Local people had deep faith in this temple, and its loss has added to the grief of the community.