The devastation caused by the massive #FlashFlood2025 in Khirganga gad near Dharali, Uttarakhand, is heartbreaking. Dharali was a beautiful Himalayan village, located just off the highway with serene access to the Bhagirathi river. Nestled in the picturesque Harsil valley—surrounded by snow-clad peaks and breathtaking views—this region was one of the crown jewels of Uttarakhand’s natural landscape. Numerous small mountain streams flow into the Bhagirathi in and around this area, including the Khirganga gad, a seemingly gentle stream that has now become the face of disaster.
Dharali, despite being lesser-known than the nearby village of Harsil (just six kilometers away), offered a more visually captivating and peaceful stopover for pilgrims and tourists en route to or returning from Gangotri Dham. Its modest market served as a convenient place for meals and rest. The ancient Kalp Kedar temple, located slightly toward the riverbank, added a spiritual aura to the setting.
But the same Khirganga, a seemingly innocuous mountain stream or gadera, has now brought unprecedented destruction. This is not a new pattern. Historically, many of the Himalayan disasters have been caused by these small mountain streams. Most of the time, they appear minor and are overlooked, resulting in their natural course being encroached upon by rapid, unregulated construction. As the hills get blanketed in concrete, their capacity to withstand heavy rains and pressure from tourism and infrastructure collapses.
The pressure of the Char Dham Yatra is immense. Yet extending infrastructure in such a fragile region remains a challenge. Meanwhile, pilgrims demand comfort and amenities at par with cities. Even in sacred and remote destinations like Kedarnath and Gangotri, tourists expect the luxuries of home. Increasingly, they assert that their presence sustains the state's economy—threatening, if not appeased, to withdraw their support.
The commonly cited "cloudburst" explanation has been questioned by scientists. Reports suggest that rainfall in the affected region—including Harsil, Mukhba, and Gangotri Dham—was not unusually heavy. The Times of India has reported a more worrying possibility: a glacial lake outburst (GLOF). Such events, where glacial lakes burst due to pressure or melting, are among the deadliest in mountainous terrain. There are 1,266 glacial lakes in Uttarakhand alone, and 13 of these are considered high-risk.
We’ve seen the destruction a GLOF can cause before—most notably in the tragedy near Reni village, close to the confluence of the Rishi Ganga and Dhauliganga rivers, part of the ecologically fragile Nanda Devi massif. That disaster also exposed the vulnerability of the Himalayas to unchecked development.
Now, reports suggest the possible formation of an artificial lake near the Harsil army base—also affected by the flash flood. While the Army is heroically leading rescue operations, the sheer scale of devastation has left Dharali completely cut off. Rescue teams are stranded due to landslides and the caving in of the National Highway at multiple points.
The tragedy is compounded by poor planning and disregard for environmental regulations. In 2024, the government approved the widening of the Gangotri Highway from Harsil to Gangotri, despite strong local opposition and environmental concerns. Thousands of deodar trees were marked for felling. Locals warned of dire consequences, as reported by Hindustan Times on August 29, 2024. Pushpa Chauhan, former gram pradhan of Bhatwari, had said, “This area is extremely prone to landslides. We want better roads but not at the cost of our forests and safety.”
This road-widening project violates the Ravi Chopra Committee’s recommendations. More critically, the entire stretch from Uttarkashi to Gaumukh (135 km) was declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) in 2010, with final notification issued in 2012. Politicians criticized it as "anti-development," but the current disaster shows how crucial those safeguards were.
Just days ago, the Supreme Court warned that Himachal Pradesh could vanish from the map unless urgent steps were taken. That warning applies just as urgently to Uttarakhand. Both states have suffered immensely due to reckless urbanization and mass tourism. In search of economic opportunity, homes in remote areas have been turned into ‘stay homes,’ and hotels and resorts now mushroom everywhere. But the locals—who do the hardest labor—rarely see the profits. The big investors often reside in Delhi or Chandigarh.
Several years ago, the Supreme Court barred construction within 100 meters of riverbanks. A 2021 PIB release quoted the NGT’s 2017 order stating that no construction should be allowed within 50 meters of a river in hilly terrain, designating it a Prohibitory Zone. Between 50 and 100 meters is a Regulatory Zone. Yet, in Uttarakhand, illegal construction continues unabated, even on the flood plains. Resorts and hotels stand proudly on the riverbeds, mocking both court orders and common sense. Who gave them permission?
Every tragedy is labelled a "wake-up call," yet nothing changes. Hydropower projects, road drilling, and unregulated mass pilgrimages continue. Char Dham and Kanwar Yatras have promoted a version of cheap, mass tourism that disrespects local culture and mountain ecology. Sacred spaces have been turned into religious picnic spots, with politicians competing to bring in more footfall, ignoring the infrastructure collapse already underway.
Kedarnath, for instance, is unable to accommodate more than a thousand people comfortably. Yet, on any given day, 20 to 30 times that number arrive, overwhelming basic services and putting lives at risk.
Development is important, but it must be balanced. The Himalayas are not just scenic retreats; they are the nation's ecological and strategic backbone. They feed us through rivers like the Ganga—sacred to millions and essential for survival. To protect them, we must respect their limits. Nature cannot be conquered. The belief that human ambition can overpower natural laws is delusional and dangerous.
Our rivers and mountains don’t ask much—just respect. Can we not treat them as part of our heritage? Why not declare the Gangotri region a heritage zone and strictly regulate the Yatra? Why not ban all construction on riverbeds? Has the NGT order ever been sincerely implemented?
One only needs to visit even the plains of Uttarakhand to see how resorts and hotels continue to violate every rule. Yet again, we call this disaster a wake-up call. Will it be?
We hope the tragedy at Dharali finally stirs our political leadership into action. Let the government uphold its own declarations, protect the Gangotri ESZ, and halt the highway expansion, resort construction, and hydropower projects.
For now, our thoughts are with those suffering from this immense tragedy. I recently passed through Dharali and Harsil—beautiful places that now lie wounded. My deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and heartfelt gratitude to the armed forces, NDRF, and SDRF personnel risking their lives to save others.
The people of Uttarakhand deserve better. Let this moment of grief also be a moment of reckoning.
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*Human rights defender
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