Four dead in Uttarkashi cloudburst

THREE devastating cloudbursts within a span of three hours on Tuesday unleashed unprecedented havoc in Uttarakhand's Dharali village in Uttarkashi district, leading to the deaths of four people and more than 50 reported missing.

- NARENDRA SETHI @ Dehradun

Rapidly-flowing water and debris swept through the Himalayan village on way to Gangotri after the cloudbursts resulted in flash floods that barrelled through homes, trees and cars, trapping scores of people. Officials said flash floods in the Kheerganga river led to the village being literally washed away. Local villagers fear the actual number of fatalities could be significantly higher.