AT LEAST four people are dead and 50 missing after a flash flood ravaged a town on a hillside in India.

A “major cloudburst” struck the village in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand triggering a major landslide and flash floods.

A cloudburst is a sudden, extremely heavy rainfall in a brief duration.

It is most common in mountainous areas, due to extreme amounts of precipitation in a short period of time. 

Horrifying footage on local TV channels showed flood water surging down a mountain – bulldozing its way down to Tharali village in Uttarkashi and sweeping houses away in its path.

People were heard screaming in panic as cops urged locals to maintain a safe distance from the powerful stream.

Rajesh Panwar, a villager, told local news agency PTI that around 10 to 12 people could be buried under the debris.

While 20 to 25 hotels and homestays may have also been washed away.

Uttarkashi police said: “In view of this incident, everyone should maintain a safe distance from the river. Ensure that you, children, and animals are kept at a safe distance from the river.”

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said relief teams have been deployed to conduct widespread search operations.

In a post on X, he said: “The news of heavy damage caused by a cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) region is extremely sad and distressing.

“SDRF, NDRF, district administration, and other related teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing.

“In this regard, I am in constant contact with senior officials, and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to God for everyone’s safety.”

Uttarakhand, which is located in the Himalayas, is increasingly prone to flash floods and landslides, which some experts blame on climate change.

A red alert for heavy rainfall has been issued today and a yellow notice for the rest of the week.

In 2023, at least 30 people died after heavy rain triggered floods and landslides near the area.

Among the victims, nine were buried under the debris of a temple in Himachal Pradesh – while another landslip in Shimla claimed 12 more lives.

That same year, Sikkim in Northeast India was also sent into turmoil when a sudden “cloud burst” over Lhonak Glacier Lake causing a tremendous downflow of water along river Teesta.

The flash flood washed away the Teesta-III damn near Chunthang and caused at least six other bridges over river Teesta to collapse. 

Indian National Highway 10 (NH10) was also damaged in multiple areas.