Uttarkashi, August 7, 2025 — What began as a long-awaited celebration of friendship turned into an unspeakable tragedy in the early hours of Tuesday morning, when a sudden cloudburst struck Dharali village near Gangotri, sweeping away 24 college friends who had reunited after 35 years. The catastrophic deluge, part of a larger pattern of extreme weather events battering Uttarakhand, left the entire village devastated and families shattered.
The group, all alumni of Delhi’s Kirori Mal College (Batch of 1989), had come to Dharali to celebrate their friendship and relive old memories. Local officials said they had reserved a four-day retreat at a riverfront resort in the quiet Himalayan town. Tragically, the group had only arrived the day before.
A Celebration of Life Cut Short
“They were laughing, singing old college songs, and sharing stories late into the night,” said a resort worker who served them dinner just hours before disaster struck. “You could see the bond—they were like brothers.”
Among the deceased were senior bureaucrats, retired professors, doctors, and business owners—men who had carved successful careers but were bound by an unshakable brotherhood formed decades ago in a college dorm room.
The disaster struck around 3:30 a.m., when a cloudburst over the upper reaches of Uttarkashi unleashed a massive flash flood along the Bhagirathi River. The sudden torrent’s brunt fell on Dharali, a small town situated between Harsil and Gangotri. Massive landslides followed, blocking all major routes and delaying rescue efforts.
Rescue and Recovery
District Magistrate Meher Singh confirmed that at least 24 bodies have been recovered, including 20 from the Delhi group. Four locals also lost their lives. The NDRF, SDRF, and Army have launched a massive search operation to locate the remaining individuals, some of whom are still reported missing.
“The devastation is beyond comprehension,” Singh said in a press briefing. “Entire structures have been reduced to rubble. Several houses, including the resort the group was staying in, were swept into the river.”
A wall of water was seen rushing through the valley by onlookers. “There was a loud roar, and then chaos,” said one survivor, a local guide named Harish Rawat. “People were screaming. We tried to pull them up from the water, but the current was too strong.”
Reunion Years in the Making
The group had reportedly been planning the reunion for over a year. WhatsApp messages and emails shared by family members show months of eager planning. Some had flown in from the United States and Canada for the trip. For many, this was the first time they had all been in one place since their farewell party in 1989.
“These were men in the prime of their lives, healthy, successful, and full of zest,” said Rakesh Sinha, a close friend of one of the victims. “They weren’t just celebrating the past—they were building new memories. It’s cruel that it ended like this.”
State Response and Political Reactions
Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, visited the scene of the tragedy and promised the relatives of the dead ₹5 lakh in compensation. He also pledged to expedite relief efforts and improve early warning systems in remote areas.
“This tragedy has shaken all of Uttarakhand,” CM Dhami said. “We cannot bring them back, but we will ensure their families receive every possible help.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences on social media, calling the loss “heartbreaking.” “The group had come together to celebrate a beautiful bond of friendship, and to lose themIt is quite painful to do so,” he wrote on X (previously Twitter).
Climate Alarm Bells Ring Again
Experts are warning that this disaster is yet another consequence of the Himalayan region’s fragile climate. Cloudbursts and flash floods have become alarmingly frequent due to rising temperatures and erratic monsoon patterns.
“This is a climate disaster, not just a natural disaster,” Dr,” said Dr. Anil Joshi, an environmentalist based in Dehradun. “Unchecked construction, deforestation, and global warming have made places like Dharali highly vulnerable.”
A report by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that this year’s monsoon has been unusually intense in northern India, with Uttarakhand recording over 40% more rainfall than average in July alone.
A Community in Mourning
Dharali, a picturesque village known for its apple orchards and peaceful river views, is now a scene of mourning. Locals have been helping with rescue efforts, providing food and shelter to survivors and first responders.
At the Kirori Mal College alumni group’s social media page, tributes continue to pour in. Photographs from the reunion—now chilling in retrospect—show the group smiling, dancing, and hugging. One image shows them standing by the river, arms raised in joy, just hours before the flood hit.
“We had all planned to meet next year again,” wrote one of the survivors in a heart-wrenching post. “Now there will forever be 24 empty chairs at the table.”
Looking Ahead
As Uttarakhand battles the monsoon season, experts call for urgent policy interventions to protect vulnerable areas from climate-related disasters. While rescue and relief are immediate priorities, long-term solutions like improved forecasting, regulated tourism, and climate-resilient infrastructure must take center stage.
For the families of the 24 friends, however, the loss is personal and immeasurable.
“They were together in life and went together in death,” said one grieving son. “They died doing what they loved—celebrating life and friendship. We will honor them by keeping their stories alive.”
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