A devastating cloudburst struck Dharali village in Uttarkashi on August 5, unleashing flash floods that claimed four lives and left over 50 missing.
The calamity triggered panic across the region, prompting a large-scale rescue and relief operation.
Odisha Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed deep anguish over the tragedy via social media, offering heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and invoking Lord Jagannath for strength and protection for those affected. Patnaik also lauded the relentless efforts of rescue teams operating under challenging conditions.
In an X post, Patnaik said,
“I am deeply anguished by the devastating cloudburst in #Uttarkashi, which has unleashed havoc in Dharali village, claiming precious lives and leaving many others missing. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families, and my thoughts are with all those enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We pray to Lord Jagannath to grant strength and protection to everyone affected by this calamity. I also salute the tireless efforts of the rescue teams who are bravely working to save lives amidst these challenging conditions”.
I am deeply anguished by the devastating cloudburst in #Uttarkashi, which has unleashed havoc in Dharali village, claiming precious lives and leaving many others missing. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families, and my thoughts are with all those enduring this…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 5, 2025
The natural disaster has caused widespread destruction in the Himalayan region, impacting infrastructure and cutting off remote settlements. With rescue teams working around the clock, authorities continue to search for the missing and assess the damage caused.
The incident has raised concerns over the increasing vulnerability of Uttarakhand’s terrain to extreme weather events amid the monsoon season, sparking conversations around disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in ecologically sensitive zones.