Chamoli, Uttarakhand – A devastating cloudburst struck the Tharali area of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district late on Friday night, triggering flash floods that have left a trail of destruction and two people missing. The sudden deluge, caused by heavy overnight rainfall, has severely impacted the region, burying homes, shops, and vehicles under a torrent of mud and debris.
According to district officials, a seasonal canal, Tunri Gadhera, overflowed its banks, sending a massive wave of debris and water into residential and market areas. The impact was so severe that over 80 houses in areas like Tharali Bazaar, Kedarbgarh, and Chepadon have been inundated with up to 2 feet of debris. The damage is extensive, with local shops and markets completely destroyed and several vehicles buried or swept away.
Chamoli Additional District Magistrate Vivek Prakash confirmed the heavy damage, stating that two individuals were reported missing from the Sagwara and Chepdon market areas. A 20-year-old woman, identified as Kavita, is feared to be trapped under the rubble in Sagwara, while another person remains unaccounted for in Chepdon.
Rescue and relief operations were immediately launched by teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the police. However, their efforts were initially hampered by the blocking of key roads due to landslides and debris. The Karnaprayag-Gwaldam National Highway, along with the Tharali-Sagwara and Dungri motor roads, have been shut down, affecting connectivity and rescue efforts. The Indian Army has also been deployed from Rudraprayag to assist in the operations.
In response to the disaster, the district administration has ordered the closure of all schools and Anganwadi centers in the affected development blocks for the day. Relief camps are being set up to provide shelter and assistance to the displaced families.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed his grief over the incident and stated that he is personally monitoring the situation. He assured that the administration is in constant contact with local officials to oversee rescue and relief work.
The cloudburst in Chamoli comes just weeks after a similar disaster in the Uttarkashi district, which highlighted the growing vulnerability of the Himalayan region to extreme weather events. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions as the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of the state …..
