ISRO assesses Dharali damage post flash flood

The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) National Remote Sensing Centre has done a “rapid assessment” of the damage caused by the flash floods in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand using very high-resolution images from the Cartosat-2S satellite.

“The comparative analysis of satellite images of 07.08.2025 (post-event) and available cloud-free pre-event data (13.06.2024) revealed the extent and severity of the destruction,” ISRO said.

The agency said that the findings include indications of flash flood, with widened stream channels, altered river morphology, and damage to human lives and infrastructure.

“Fan-shaped deposit of sediment and debris at Dharali village... at the confluence of the Kheer Gad and Bhagirathi River. Partial/complete destruction and disappearance of several buildings in the flood-affected zone, likely submerged or swept away by the intense mud flow and debris,” an ISRO statement said.

The agency said that a number of buildings appear to be submerged in mud and debris. “The satellite images would help the ongoing search and rescue operations to reach out to stranded individuals and restore connectivity to the isolated region. The event highlights the increasing vulnerability of Himalayan settlements to disasters. Scientific analysis is being carried out to ascertain the cause of the triggering event,” it said.