Rescuers are looking for dozens of people who are feared trapped after a massive cloudburst triggered heavy rains and flash floods in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.
Teams, including army and paramilitaries, have reached Dharali village in Uttarkashi district, which is believed to have borne the brunt of the floods.
Dramatic videos of the disaster show a giant wave of water gushing through the area, crumpling buildings in its path. A tourist spot, Dharali is populated with hotels, resorts and restaurants.
A cloudburst is an extreme, sudden downpour of rain over a small area in a short period of time, often leading to flash floods.
It took place at around 13:30 India time [08:00 GMT] when a large amount of water came down, swelling the Kheerganga river and sending tonnes of muddy waters gushing downwards on the hilly terrain, covering roads, buildings and shops in Dharali.
Eyewitnesses from a nearby village who shot the dramatic footage of the muddy water coursing through the streets could be heard shrieking, blowing whistles and shouting “run, run”, but said the sudden surge did not give people the chance to run away.
They said they believed many people to be trapped under the debris.
The ancient Kalpkedar temple is also covered under the slush and is believed to have been damaged, they added.
The sludge from Kheerganga has blocked a part of the region’s main river Bhagirathi [which becomes India’s holiest river Ganges once it travels downstream] and created an artificial lake, submerging vast tracts of land, including a government helipad.
Concern is growing that if this water is not drained out quickly, it can pose a serious threat to towns and villages downstream.
Credit: bbc