Dharali town devastated by flash floods in Kheer Ganga river

On August 5, 2025, flash floods caused heavy destruction in the Kheer Ganga river in the Dharali town of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. The river overflowed around 1:30 pm, sweeping through the town with silt and debris. Four people have been confirmed dead, and many others are missing.

The disaster drew attention after a video of the overflowing river went viral. Initial reports suggested a cloudburst, but the Meteorological Department stated that only light to moderate rainfall was recorded in Uttarkashi. However, local residents and journalists report that it has been raining heavily for the past two days, with nearby streams and rivers also in spate.

DTE analysis found that the first quarter of 2025 stands out as one of the wettest starts to the year in recent times. Compared to the same period in the past 3 years, India witnessed an alarming spike in heavy rains, floods and landslides reported on 80 out of 90 days. Experts point out that the Kheer Ganga is prone to bringing down heavy debris during floods.

The river has caused major destruction in the past, including in 2018 and 2021. Geologists say the current settlement in Dharali stands on silt deposited by a massive flood in 1835, and construction on the river’s course has increased the risk. People have encroached on the river’s course by building houses and homestays.

According to journalist Shailendra Godiyal, every year, the local people demand that the district administration build a protective wall like Kedarnath to protect them from the flood-prone Kheer Ganga. But till now, the administration has not paid any heed. Authorities continue rescue operations as efforts are made to restore connectivity and assess the damage.