Landslide-Induced Lake Outburst Triggered Dharali Flash Floods In Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi, Says Report

An internal preliminary report submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs has said that a landslide-induced lake outburst triggered a chain reaction among several small lakes, causing the devastating 5 August flash flood in Dharali village, Uttarkashi, The New Indian Express reported.

Prepared in consultation with ISRO, the report revealed that numerous lakes covering areas ranging from half to 10 hectares have formed over the past three decades due to frequent landslides and snowmelt accelerated by global warming.

The report noted that other factors—such as local avalanches, smaller glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and heavy rainfall—may also have contributed, with details to follow in later assessments.

The flood buried half of Dharali village, built on a dried river course, and washed away an Army camp in Harshil. Six people have been declared dead and 69 remain missing.

The report recommended further puncturing of the lakes formed after the landslides to safely release water and reduce the risk downstream.

Acting on recommendations, Uttarakhand authorities successfully punctured Lake Harshil upstream to release water through a new channel and reduce future risks.

“Over 30 engineers constructed a parallel water channel alongside the existing one to successfully release water from Lake Harshil,” said a bulletin by the Uttarakhand disaster management department.

Also Read : Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project Gets Fresh Push, Odisha Govt to Seek Centre’s Support For New Plan