CHAMOLI: A devastating cloudburst tore through Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Friday night, unleashing a torrent of mud, water, and debris that has left a trail of destruction in its wake. The deluge has submerged entire areas in Tharali tehsil, with several people feared missing and the community gripped by fear. According to local officials, the most severe damage has occurred in and around the Tharali market and the tehsil complex, where a powerful flow of debris has buried residential buildings, shops, and government offices.
The calamity struck with such ferocity that even the official residence of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate was swept away, buried under a thick layer of mud and rubble. In Sagwara village, the desperate struggle of a young girl, reportedly trapped beneath the wreckage of her home, has amplified fears of potential casualties. The relentless onslaught of the monsoon has made rescue operations a difficult task. NDRF and SDRF teams, who reached the site on Friday night, are working tirelessly against blocked roads and a continuous flow of debris to locate the missing and provide aid.
Additional District Magistrate Vivek Prakash confirmed that relief camps have been swiftly established to provide shelter for the many residents who have been displaced from their homes. Visuals from the ground, widely circulated online, paint a grim picture, showing people wading through knee-deep water and homes half-buried in the mud. The local police acted promptly to evacuate residents from vulnerable areas, a measure that likely prevented further casualties.
The disaster has prompted an urgent response from the state leadership. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has assured a close watch on the situation, stating that the district administration, SDRF, and police are fully engaged in the relief and rescue mission. He also posted on X, “I am in constant contact with local officials and pray for everyone’s safety.”
This latest cloudburst is a stark reminder of the ongoing monsoon fury in Uttarakhand. The state has already witnessed a series of similar natural disasters this season, including flash floods and landslides. The India Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange’ alert, warning of more heavy rainfall until August 25, which adds to the anxiety of the residents in Dehradun, Nainital, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh, who are bracing for more intense downpours in the coming days.
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