Satellite images from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have revealed the true scale of destruction caused by the flash flood in Dharali village, Uttarakhand. The images show a huge fan-shaped deposit of mud, rocks, and debris spread across nearly 20 hectares at the meeting point of the Kheer Gad and Bhagirathi rivers.
The disaster, which struck around 1:30 pm on August 5 after intense rainfall, washed away homes, buildings, bridges, and roads. Several lives were lost, and many people remain missing. Rescue teams are still searching for survivors while trying to restore connectivity to the isolated region.
According to ISRO, the debris deposit measures about 750 metres long and 450 metres wide. The satellite pictures also reveal that river channels have widened, the river’s course has changed, and large areas of the village have been buried under mud. Some buildings have been completely destroyed or submerged.
The images, taken on August 7, were compared with pre-disaster photos from June 13, allowing experts to assess the damage. This information is now being used to guide rescue operations and reach stranded residents.
ISRO officials say this event is a grim reminder of the increasing vulnerability of Himalayan villages to extreme weather and disasters. Scientists are now studying the cause of the flood to understand what triggered the sudden and destructive surge.