The flood in Dharali, Uttarkashi, is among the most devastating disasters to hit India in the past decade. On August 5, a sudden surge in the Khirganga river unleashed torrents of water, rocks, trees, and mud, destroying over 80 hotels, the local market, and a large stretch of the Gangotri Highway. Nearly 100 people, including migrant workers from Nepal and Bihar, remain missing.

Reaching Dharali was no less than a mission: broken roads, collapsed bridges, and landslide-blocked slopes had to be crossed to witness the destruction firsthand. Beneath the debris lie homes, shops, and the grief of an entire community. Locals blame government negligence and unchecked construction; some allege that media access is being restricted to hide official failures.

Beyond the loss of life, the disaster has crippled Dharali’s economy, from apple orchards to tourism. 

Meanwhile, experts warn that riverbank construction, deforestation, and highway widening have made the region more vulnerable. Without a rethink on development, they say, future disasters could be even worse.

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