Flash Flood Warning Issued for Dharchula in Pithoragarh
NDRF has issued a flash flood warning for Dharchula following heavy rainfall upstream in Nepal. Kali river levels rising.
Current Summary
Kali river level has risen 1.2 metres above normal at Dharchula gauging station. NDRF team deployed. Residents in low-lying areas are being evacuated. A Dainik Bhaskar report dated July 6 states that a pedestrian footbridge in Dharchula has been washed away, isolating two villages. Debris flows are reported to have blocked 17 roads across Pithoragarh district; these figures remain unconfirmed by BRO, PWD, or district administration. Hindustan Times (July 8) now confirms a woman has been killed in Pithoragarh district amid heavy rain. The identity of the deceased, the precise location, and cause of death have not been detailed. Heavy rain continues in the district.
What We Know
- Kali river 1.2m above normal at Dharchula
- NDRF team deployed in Dharchula
- Low-lying area residents being evacuated
- Heavy rainfall reported upstream in Nepal
- National media reporting confirms ongoing cloudburst and flash flood activity across Uttarakhand as of July 3 (MSN); no new specifics for Dharchula added.
- An unverified media report dated July 4 states landslides have blocked highways in Pithoragarh district. Specific highways and locations are not yet confirmed.
- A pedestrian footbridge in Dharchula reported washed away as of July 6, per Dainik Bhaskar (unconfirmed by administration).
- Two villages reported isolated following the footbridge loss (unconfirmed).
- 17 roads in Pithoragarh district reported blocked by debris as of July 6 (unconfirmed by BRO or PWD).
- Hindustan Times (July 8) confirms a woman has been killed in Pithoragarh district. This is the first confirmed fatality in available signals for the current rain event in this district.
- The identity, precise location of the incident, and cause of death have not been detailed in available signals.
What Is Still Unclear
- Peak level expected
- Number of households affected by evacuation
Residents near the Kali river in Dharchula should move to higher ground immediately. Follow NDRF and district administration instructions.
What Changed
- 8 Jul, 12:10 pmHindustan Times (July 8) reports a woman has been killed in Pithoragarh district amid heavy rain. This is the first confirmed fatality in available signals for the ongoing Pithoragarh disaster situation. The identity of the deceased, the precise location of the incident, and the cause of death have not been detailed in the available signal.
- 6 Jul, 05:00 amA Dainik Bhaskar report dated July 6 states that a pedestrian footbridge in Dharchula has been washed away, leaving two villages isolated. Debris flows have blocked 17 roads across Pithoragarh district. These figures and the village isolation have not yet been confirmed by BRO, PWD, or Pithoragarh district administration.
- 4 Jul, 05:40 pmA separate report from Uttarakhand News Network dated July 4 states that landslides have blocked highways in Pithoragarh district. The specific highways, locations, and number of roads affected have not been confirmed by PWD, BRO, or Pithoragarh district administration. This adds to the broader picture of monsoon disruption across the district alongside the Kali river flood warning at Dharchula.
- 4 Jul, 08:10 amAn MSN report dated July 3 mentions cloudbursts triggering flash floods across Uttarakhand. No additional detail specific to Dharchula or the Kali river is available from this signal.
- 4 Jul, 06:07 amEvacuation of low-lying area residents underway. District administration coordinating.
- 4 Jul, 05:42 amKali river confirmed 1.2m above normal. NDRF team deployed in Dharchula.
- 4 Jul, 05:02 amFlash flood warning issued by NDRF for Dharchula. Kali river rising.
Background
Dharchula sits at the India-Nepal border on the Kali river. Cross-border rainfall events frequently cause rapid river level rises with short warning times.
