Viral Image Showing Aftermath Of Uttarkashi Cloudburst Is AI Generated

At least five persons were killed and several others, including army personnel, remain missing after flash floods ravaged Dharali in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi on Tuesday (August 5, 2025) afternoon following a cloudburst.

Shortly after the news broke, social media platforms went rife with unverified visuals showing the destruction in Uttarakhand following the recent disaster. One such image showing several damaged houses lining both the sides of a muddy river gushing through a hillside settlement, is being circulated online. 

Such posts can be seen here, here and here.

News outlet TV9 also used the image in their report on “Uttarkashi Dharali Cloudburst” published on August 5, 2025. 

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Fact Check/Verification

On carefully analysing the viral media, we were able to spot text “ai” written on the bottom right corner on one fuller version of the image. The overall smooth texture of the photo also suggested that it was likely AI generated. 

We then checked the viral image, allegedly showing the aftermath of the recent Uttarkashi cloudburst, on multiple AI detection platforms which confirmed that the media was created using Artificial Intelligence. Sightengine, for instance, found a 99% probability of the photo being AI generated. 

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Similarly, another such detection website Hive Moderation, too, concluded a 99.9% likelihood that the viral photo contained AI generated or deepfake content.

We also checked the image on the website ‘WasItAI,’ which stated, “We are quite confident that this image, or significant part of it, was created by AI,” confirming that the media is not authentic.

The Uttarakhand Police, in an X post on August 5, 2025, shared the images showing actual damage in the Dharali market area due to rising water level in Kheer Gadh, adding “Police/Fire/SDRF/Army, along with other disaster management teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations at the site.” The same can be seen here. 

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Conclusion

Hence, we find that the viral posts, alleging to show the damage caused in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi following the recent cloudburst, are false.

Sources
Sightengine Website
Hive Moderation Website
WasItAI Website