A devastating mudslide in Uttarkashi’s Dharali village has left five people dead and over 50 missing, including 11 soldiers.

By Aniket Chakraborty Aug 7, 2025 Arrow INDIA NEWS

Experts suggest that the mudslide was triggered by a glacial pond burst, not a cloudburst, as initially believed.

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Dharali village is located near the Kheer Ganga river, where several glacial ponds have filled up due to heavy rain and melting snow.

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The river had previously changed its course, and unplanned settlements along its new path were swept away by the debris-laden water.

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While the cloudburst theory was initially cited, the actual rainfall data did not meet the thresholds typically required to trigger such an event.

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The tragedy occurred within seconds, similar to the 2013 Kedarnath disaster, according to Dr. DD Chauniyal, an expert in Himalayan geography.

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The development of infrastructure in ecologically sensitive areas, like Dharali, has been criticized for amplifying the risks of such disasters.

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Unchecked construction and lack of proper planning have turned the region into a hotspot for natural calamities, including landslides and floods.

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Rescue operations are ongoing, with 150 people rescued so far, despite continuous landslides blocking access routes.

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Politicians and experts are calling for better long-term planning and strategies to prevent such disasters in the future.

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