Uttarkashi shuts schools as cloudburst and flash floods disrupt normal life

A tragic cloudburst and flash flood hit the Dharali area of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand, leading to the loss of lives and significant destruction. As a safety measure, the district administration has declared a holiday for all schools on Wednesday, August 6. This includes both government and private schools for classes 1 to 12.

Holiday declared to ensure student safety

Following the disaster, the local administration took quick action by announcing that all schools would be closed for a day. This decision was made due to the rising water levels in the Kheer Ganga stream, which caused massive destruction in several parts of the district. Authorities confirmed that a large portion of a village was washed away, and many people are still feared missing.

The official notice stated:
"All government and private schools in Uttarkashi district will remain closed on August 6 in view of the ongoing rescue efforts and the risk posed by flash floods."

This closure aims to keep children safe and allow emergency services to carry out rescue operations smoothly. With the weather conditions still dangerous, officials are focused on saving lives and preventing further damage. Parents have been asked to stay alert and follow any new instructions from the authorities regarding weather updates or school reopening.

The cloudburst took place in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river, which resulted in a sudden surge in water levels and flash flooding. Local residents said that the water came very fast and swept away homes and farmland, leaving many people stranded and helpless.

Leaders express condolences; rescue work underway

According to Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya, at least four people have died due to the flash floods, and the death toll may rise as search and rescue teams continue to look for missing persons. Other reports suggested that the number of casualties could be even higher, with locals claiming up to 10 deaths.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragedy. In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), he offered condolences to the affected families and promised full support from the central government. He wrote:

"I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. Along with this, I pray for the well-being of all the victims. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami ji and obtained information about the situation. Under the supervision of the state government, relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort. No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people."

The Prime Minister's statement highlighted the seriousness of the situation and the government's commitment to help those in need. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is also closely monitoring the situation, and relief teams including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police have been deployed to help with search and rescue.

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Officials are using all available resources to reach remote and flood-affected villages. Helicopters, boats, and heavy machinery are being used to assist in rescue and relief operations. Emergency shelters and food distribution points have been set up for those who have lost their homes or are temporarily displaced due to the flood.

The weather department has also issued alerts for more rainfall in the coming days, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid traveling to high-risk areas near rivers or hillsides. Villagers living near the affected region have been asked to move to safer locations.

The flash flood and cloudburst in Uttarkashi have caused deep sorrow and concern across the region. With lives lost and villages damaged, the authorities are focusing on rescue and relief efforts. The closure of schools is a precautionary step to protect children and support the emergency services on the ground.

As the state and central governments work together to provide relief, people have been asked to remain alert and cooperate with officials. The incident is a grim reminder of how unpredictable nature can be, especially in hilly regions during the monsoon. Still, the quick response from authorities offers some hope as rescue work continues with full force.