Fact Check: Viral Flood Video is not from Uttarakhand, but shows Flash Flood in Bardonecchia, Italy
A devastating cloudburst triggered severe flash floods in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on August 5th 2025 resulting
A devastating cloudburst triggered severe flash floods in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on August 5th, 2025, resulting in significant destruction. These flash floods swept away homes, hotels, and infrastructure, leaving at least 50 people missing. Rescue operations are continuing amid challenging weather conditions and difficult mountain terrain. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from the area, while many are still unaccounted for. The disaster has left survivors recounting harrowing experiences. Officials report that 43 people are still missing. With warnings of more heavy rainfall in Uttarkashi until August 15th, 2025, search and relief efforts by task forces are being hindered.
Amid these circumstances, a video showing black, muddy water gushing into a stream is being shared on social media with the claim that it shows the flash flood that occurred in Uttarkashi. The video is circulated with the text: “05-08-2025, हे भगवान अब बचालो इस गुप्तकाशी को। उत्तराखंड का ये आपदा है”. When translated, it claims "O God, please save this Guptkashi. This is Uttarakhand’s disaster." Links to the viral video:
Here is the archive link of the claim.
Fact Check:
The claim is false. The video actually shows a devastating flash flood that hit Bardonecchia, Italy, in July 2025.
A Facebook user shared a longer version of the video with the caption: “June 30, 2025 — Bardonecchia, Piedmont, Italy. A massive flash flood struck Bardonecchia after torrential rains triggered the Frejus stream to burst its banks. Streets, highways (A32), and bridges were submerged; a 70-year-old man was killed when his van was overtaken by rushing water and mud. Authorities declared a maximum alert, closed roads, and instructed residents to shelter in place.”
According to a news report by The US Sun, Shocking videos show churning black water surging down the Frejus — a tunnel connecting France and Italy. Torrential rain caused the waterway to break its banks, unleashing a violent flood across the region. Rescuers were seen looking on helplessly as entire streets were submerged in the muddy floodwaters. Residents were warned by the mayor to stay in their homes and avoid driving. Bardonecchia, a resort town 56 miles west of Turin that hosted snowboarding events during the 2006 Winter Olympics, suffered severe damage. Firefighters rescued at least 10 people trapped in buildings, along with others stuck in their cars.