The Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand experienced devastating flash floods on August 5, 2025, causing at least five confirmed deaths and leaving over 50 people missing, including nine Army personnel. The disaster struck Dharali village, a key stopover on the route to Gangotri, where flash floods and landslides wiped out homes, shops, hotels, and infrastructure. While initial reports cited a cloudburst as the cause, experts now consider heavy rainfall combined with the region’s rugged topography, including landslides and debris flow, as the main triggers. The India Meteorological Department had issued heavy rainfall warnings and a red alert remains in effect, complicating rescue operations due to poor weather and damaged access roads. The Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and police forces have launched a massive rescue and relief effort involving over 400 personnel, drones, rescue dogs, and helicopters to evacuate stranded civilians and tourists. So far, 274 people have been rescued, but hundreds remain stranded, especially in Gangotri. The disaster caused extensive damage to the local community and highlighted the urgent need for improved early warning systems and infrastructure resilience in the Himalayan region to manage climate-related risks more effectively. The state government continues coordinated efforts to ensure safety and rehabilitation amid ongoing heavy rains until August 12.