Ice, rain, and ruin: Why cloudbursts aren't the only danger in Himalayas anymore? Uttarkashi flash flood sounds alarm

Time of India

06-08-2025

NEW DELHI: A suspected cloudburst in the upper catchment of the Kheer Ganga river triggered devastating flash floods on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction in Dharali village and nearby areas of Uttarkashi district in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
However, experts analysing satellite and meteorological data later told
TOI
that the disaster may have been caused not by a cloudburst, but by a glacier collapse or a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) upstream—underscoring the growing fragility of the Himalayan ecosystem amid rising temperatures.
At least five people have died and many are feared missing as floodwaters swept through high-altitude settlements.
This incident is the latest in a growing list of extreme weather events affecting the Himalayan region during the monsoon season.
Glacial melts adding to crisis
A new UN report titled 'Mountains and Glaciers: Water Towers' warns that global warming is rapidly transforming high-altitude water systems. Melting glaciers are initially increasing water runoff, but over time, available freshwater is expected to decline, threatening agriculture, hydropower, and water supply for millions.
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The report also flags the rising danger of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)—sudden floods triggered when melting glaciers form unstable lakes. In the past 200 years, over 12,000 people have died in GLOFs, 7,000 in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region alone.
Why the Himalayas are at risk
The Indian Himalayan region is highly vulnerable to cloudbursts, flash floods, and other extreme weather. These events typically occur during the monsoon and are becoming more frequent due to climate change, the research notes.
They often lead to severe damage: house collapses, disrupted traffic, landslides, and human casualties.
The 2023 paper further notes that most cloudbursts occur between 1,000 and 2,000 metres altitude, which includes densely populated areas such as Uttarkashi, situated at around 1,160 metres above sea level.
Satellite images independently accessed by
TOI
confirmed the presence of significant glaciers and at least two glacial lakes situated directly above the affected site.
'There is a glacier right above Kheer Gad stream; a sudden release of water, either from glacial lake outburst or glacier burst, could lead to a high-energy flash flood, similar to the Raini disaster in Chamoli in Feb 2021,' said the scientist.
The Raini incident involved a rockice avalanche that triggered floods devastating the Rishiganga hydel project and severely damaging the TapovanVishnugad power plant, resulting in more than 200 deaths.
According to Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Uttarakhand has 1,266 glacial lakes ranging from small bodies to large reservoirs, several of which pose significant downstream threats. National Disaster Management Authority identified 13 glacial lakes as high-risk, classifying five as extremely dangerous.
Recent events indicate escalating risk
The flash floods on Tuesday is not an isolated event. On July 26, heavy rainfall in Rudraprayag triggered a landslide that blocked the Kedarnath pilgrimage route, affecting over 1,600 Chardham pilgrims.
On June 29, a cloudburst at Silai Band (Barkot-Yamunotri road) caused damage to an under-construction hotel, with several workers reported missing.
What needs to be done
Experts argue that a coordinated response is essential. This includes:
Stronger early warning systems
Climate-resilient planning
Policy-level interventions for managing cloudburst risks
Preserving traditional knowledge systems of local communities
The UN report calls for urgent global action: limiting warming to 1.5°C, strengthening mountain governance, and protecting the cryosphere, which supports over half the world's population.
As the Himalayas face mounting threats from both extreme rainfall and melting glaciers, the latest cloudburst is yet another stark reminder of the region's fragile future—and the urgent need to act.