
28 Tourists From Kerala, Maharashtra Feared Missing After Uttarakhand Cloudburst and Landslides
Kochi/Mumbai: A group of 28 tourists, mostly Keralites including some settled in Maharashtra, are feared missing after a devastating cloudburst triggered massive landslides in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The disaster, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, buried parts of Dharali village under a deluge of slush, debris, and water, cutting off access and communication with the affected area.
According to family members of the missing, the group included 20 individuals originally from Kerala but now settled in Maharashtra, and eight others from various districts across Kerala. The group was on a 10-day tour of Uttarakhand, organised by a Haridwar-based travel agency.
The tourists were reportedly en route from Uttarkashi to Gangotri — a key pilgrimage destination and the origin of the River Ganga — when the cloudburst occurred along their route. Dharali, where the landslide struck hardest, is a common stop for tourists heading to Gangotri and is home to several hotels and homestays.
One of the relatives of the missing group spoke to the media and expressed growing concern.
“My parents are part of the group. The last time we spoke was a day ago. They told us they were leaving for Gangotri from Uttarkashi at around 8:30 am. Since then, we haven’t been able to contact them,” she said.
She added that attempts to get updates from the travel agency were futile. “Even the organisers have no information. There’s no mobile network in the area, and it’s likely their phones have run out of battery,” she explained.
Official Response and Ground Situation
Uttarakhand officials have confirmed four deaths in the disaster so far. Rescue teams have been deployed to the region, but operations are facing significant challenges due to the difficult terrain, ongoing rains, and blocked routes. According to reports from local authorities, nearly half of Dharali village has been buried, and access is severely limited.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are reportedly on standby and coordinating efforts with the local administration. However, intermittent rainfall and the threat of further landslides are delaying progress.
Local officials stated that priority is being given to locating stranded or missing persons, and satellite communication is being used to re-establish contact with cut-off areas. Helicopters have been kept ready for aerial surveys and evacuations once weather permits.
Emotional Toll and Growing Anxiety
Back home, families of the missing tourists are enduring an agonising wait. Many have reached out to Kerala and Maharashtra government authorities, urging swift action to trace their loved ones. Politicians and community leaders in both states have taken note of the matter and are expected to issue formal requests for help at the central level.
The Chief Ministers of both Kerala and Maharashtra have been informed, and coordination between the states and the Uttarakhand administration is being established.
This tragic incident comes as a grim reminder of the fragile ecological balance in the Himalayan region, where increased tourist activity during the monsoon season often faces high risk due to cloudbursts and landslides.
As the search continues, families and friends of the 28 tourists wait for any sign of relief, hoping that those missing are safe and will soon be rescued.