A sudden cloudburst over the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand unleashed a torrent of water and mud on Tuesday, sweeping through Dharali village in Uttarkashi district. Local officials said at least four people were confirmed dead and more than 50 others were unaccounted for after floodwaters levelled homes, shops and roads in the remote mountain settlement. The Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force rushed about 150 soldiers and rescuers to the area, while state authorities requested helicopters to reach survivors trapped under debris. Video footage showed multi-storey buildings collapsing into the surging Kheer Gad stream and an army helipad being washed away. The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for the region after recording "extremely heavy" rainfall of roughly 21 centimetres in isolated pockets and warned of more downpours in the coming days. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said operations were being conducted "on a war footing," and Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences and pledged federal assistance. Flash floods and landslides occur regularly during India’s June-to-September monsoon, but scientists warn their frequency and intensity are rising as a result of climate change and rapid, unplanned development in fragile mountain zones. Authorities have closed schools in several districts and urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain on high alert.