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‘Satellite images will help rescue, restoration work'

‘Satellite images will help rescue, restoration work'

BENGALURU: Two days after the catastrophic floods due to cloudburst and intense rainfall in Dharali and Harsil villages in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, Indian Space Research Organisation's National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) shared analysis of the floods based on satellite data.
Using high-resolution images of the Indian Cartosat-2S satellites, the teams drew a comparative analysis of the satellite images taken on August 7 (post the event) and cloud-free satellite images taken before the event on June 13, 2024, showing the extent and severity of the destruction.
'The satellite images will help in the ongoing search and rescue operations to reach those stranded, and restore connectivity to the isolated region,' the ISRO report said, and cautioned that increasing events highlight the vulnerability of the Himalayan settlements to disasters.
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Dharali Cloudburst: Did River Kheer Ganga Follow Its Old Route? ISRO Satellite Images Stir Debate
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timean hour ago

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Last Updated: The destruction in Uttarkashi's Dharali raised questions whether Kheer Ganga river, which caused the devastation, simply returned to an ancient path long buried under settlements The destruction in Uttarkashi's Dharali town has raised troubling new questions, not just about what happened on August 5, but about whether the Kheer Ganga river, which caused the devastation, simply returned to an ancient path long buried under settlements. New satellite images released by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) show that the river, instead of curving as it usually does before meeting the Bhagirathi, surged straight through buildings and roads, as if reclaiming an older route. Captured by the Cartosat-2S satellite, the high-resolution images offer a before-and-after view of the disaster zone. The first image, from June 13, shows Dharali in a calm state. The second, taken on August 7, just two days after the flood, reveals an area covered in mud, debris, and rock over an estimated 20 hectares, right up to the banks of the Bhagirathi river. At first, a cloudburst was suspected. But that theory was quickly ruled out. The Meteorological Centre confirmed that only 24 mm of rainfall was recorded across Uttarkashi district on August 5, far below the 100 mm-per-hour threshold needed to declare a cloudburst. In fact, Uttarkashi has seen among the lowest rainfall figures in the state this monsoon. If not rain, then what? One compelling theory comes from D D Chauhan, visiting professor at the Nityanand Research Institute, Doon University. He believes the river may have reverted to an older course under extraordinary pressure. 'The Kheer Ganga usually takes a bend before meeting the Bhagirathi," said Chauhan, adding, 'But on August 5, the river came down carrying heavy debris and boulders, and instead of turning, it moved straight, right through an area where homes, hotels, and lodges had been built." Chauhan suggested that this abrupt shift may have been triggered by a glacial lake burst. Several small glacial lakes feed the Kheer Ganga at high altitudes. With continuous rains, even if not extreme, the water levels in one of these lakes may have breached a threshold, releasing a sudden and massive outflow. The lake water, mixed with glacial debris, would have surged into the river, amplifying the volume and destructive power of the Kheer Ganga without needing a cloudburst. The satellite images appear to support this theory. They show how Dharasu, the larger region around Dharali, is surrounded on three sides by the Bhagirathi. The Kheer Ganga cuts through from the mountains and typically turns before merging with the Bhagirathi. On August 5, it didn't turn. The river's straight run through residential and commercial areas, where it wasn't expected to flow, suggests either a diversion caused by forceful debris movement or a return to a previous natural path that had been altered or encroached upon over time. ISRO has confirmed that the debris field covers 20 hectares and reaches the Bhagirathi's banks. Further scientific analysis is underway to establish whether a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) was the primary trigger, and whether future risks are likely in similar Himalayan towns built close to dynamic river systems. The Dharali tragedy draws eerie parallels with past disasters in Uttarakhand. In February 2021, a glacier collapse in Chamoli led to a catastrophic flood in the Rishi Ganga and Dhauliganga rivers, killing more than 200 people. In 2013, the infamous Kedarnath calamity was also caused by the breaching of a glacial lake, leading to a death toll of nearly 5,000. view comments First Published: News india Dharali Cloudburst: Did River Kheer Ganga Follow Its Old Route? ISRO Satellite Images Stir Debate Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

How ISRO's Satellite Insights Are Helping Uttarkashi Disaster Relief Ops
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Satellite images, extracted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), have revealed the scale of destruction caused by the deadly flash floods in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi earlier this week. The disaster, on August 5, killed five people and left over 50 people missing. Experts suspect the burst of a glacial pond triggered the deluge. Two days after the floods, ISRO's Cartosat-2S satellite captured high-resolution images of the affected zone. The pictures, taken on August 7, show a large, fan-shaped deposit of mud and debris, covering nearly 20 hectares (approximately 750 metres by 450 metres), at Dharali village, where the Kheer Gad stream meets the Bhagirathi River. ISRO says this mapping is guiding search and rescue teams to priority locations, identifying submerged areas, and helping officials restore connectivity to cut-off villages. The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in Hyderabad conducted a rapid assessment, comparing the post-disaster images with cloud-free pre-event data from June 13, 2024. Satellite Insights Aiding Rescue & Relief Ops ISRO/NRSC used Cartosat-2S data to assess the devastating Aug 5 flash flood in Dharali & Harsil, Uttarakhand. High-res imagery reveals submerged buildings, debris spread (~20ha), & altered river paths, vital for rescue teams on… — ISRO (@isro) August 7, 2025 The analysis shows widened stream channels, altered river morphology, and severe destruction of infrastructure. Several houses in the flood-affected zone have disappeared, likely swept away or submerged under mud and debris. Roads, bridges, plantations, and homes were either destroyed or heavily damaged. The before-and-after images show the aftermath. Dharali and the Bhagirathi River appear intact in June 2024, with houses lining the riverbank. The August 2025 images show thick mud and sediment deposits across the floodplain, with many structures gone. "A number of buildings appear to be submerged with mud-debris in Dharali village. The satellite images will assist ongoing search and rescue efforts to reach stranded individuals and restore connectivity to the isolated region," ISRO said in its official statement. The space agency also said the image showed the increasing vulnerability of Himalayan settlements to natural disasters. ISRO Findings: Widened stream channels and altered river flow due to the flash floods. Fan-shaped deposit of sediment and debris at Dharali (about 20 hectares in size). Partial or complete destruction of several buildings in the affected area. Extensive mud and sediment deposition covering riverbanks and houses. The NRSC said the rapid mapping was conducted in a short timeframe and quality-checked under ISRO procedures. Geographic details are subject to limitations due to image resolution and interpretation. Search and rescue operations are underway in the affected villages, with efforts focused on locating the missing and restoring essential connectivity.

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