VIDEO: Watch people running in panic as buildings get washed away in Dharali | Uttarkashi flash floods

After a massive cloudburst in the high-altitude villages led to flash floods in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi, videos circulating on social media showed several buildings in the locality getting washed away. One of the videos showed people running in panic and cars fleeing as strong gush of water and boulders rush towards them.

At least four people are confirmed dead, according to officials. The tragedy struck around 1:45 pm on Tuesday. The toll is expected to rise given the gravity of the disaster. 

ALSO READ: IN PICS: The destruction caused by devastating flash floods in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Other videos showed a torrent of water, silt and boulders rushing down the slopes, with water in the river getting diverted into buildings on the banks. In another video one person can be heard saying, "Everything is finished."

Most of the buildings destroyed in the flash floods are hotels. Dharali is home to many hotels, restaurants and homestays as it is key destination before heading to Gangotri. Following the tragedy, all road connectivity to the sacred Gangotri Dham has been cut off. 

Eyewitnesses quoted by PTI claimed that 20 to 25 hotels and homestays might have been washed away while around 10 to 12 people could be buried under the debris.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has ordered to deploy seven rescue teams from the ITBP and NDRF after speaking to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. A team from the Indian Army camp at Harsil, around 4 km from Dharali, has also rushed to the spot.

"Spoke to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand regarding the flash flood in Dharali (Uttarkashi) to get information about the incident. Three ITBP teams, stationed nearby, have been sent to the spot while four NDRF teams have also been dispatched and they will reach soon and engage in rescue operations," Shah wrote on X in Hindi.

Calling the heavy losses extremely sad and painful, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami revealed that SDRF, NDRF, district administration and other related teams are engaged on war footing in relief and rescue operations. "I am constantly in touch with senior officials in this regard and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to God for everyone's safety," the CM added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Dhami and posted on X, “Under the supervision of the state government, relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort". He added that no stone is being left unturned to help the victims.