It’s a devastating nightmare unfolding in India’s Himalayas: a flash flood has claimed lives and left many missing! Just picture this: torrents of mud and debris crashing through the narrow valleys, demolishing everything in their path. This horrifying scene played out in the small town of Dharali, Uttarakhand, where at least four lives were lost and about 100 people are still unaccounted for.

The chaos began on Tuesday when nature unleashed its fury, sending roaring waters down the mountainside. Buildings crumbled under the pressure of the rushing mud, and videos from Indian media captured the heart-stopping moment when entire multi-storey residences were swept away by the relentless torrent.

“It is a serious situation,” declared Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence, as he spoke to the Press Trust of India (PTI). “We have received information about four deaths and around 100 people missing. We pray for their safety.”

The aftermath is nothing short of a disaster. Images from the site reveal a sprawling landscape buried under layers of mud, with some areas submerged to a shocking depth of 50 feet (15 meters). The Indian army has rushed in, deploying 150 troops who are working tirelessly to rescue survivors. Their efforts have already saved around 20 people, but many remain trapped, desperately needing help.

“A massive mudslide struck Dharali, triggering a sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement,” the army reported, as rescue teams operate “on a war footing.” Arpan Yaduvanshi, the commander of the State Disaster Response Force, emphasized that every resource is being mobilized to locate and evacuate the stranded.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his condolences and reassured the nation that “no stone is being left unturned in providing assistance.” His words echo the sentiments of the Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, who described the disaster as “extremely sad and distressing,” attributing it to an alarming cloudburst that caught residents off guard.