Cloudbursts Hit Uttarakhand’s Chamoli and Rudraprayag; Families Feared Trapped, Rescue Operations Underway

The ongoing monsoon fury has once again wreaked havoc in Uttarakhand, as cloudbursts struck Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts on Friday morning, leaving several families feared trapped under debris. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed the incidents and said that large-scale rescue and relief operations have been launched on a war footing.

The Chief Minister further stated that he is in constant touch with district magistrates and disaster management officials, and all necessary resources have been mobilized to assist the affected people.

Two Missing in Chamoli; Livestock Buried

Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed that at least two people have gone missing after the cloudburst in Dewal block. In addition to human casualties, a significant number of animals have also been buried under the rubble.

He added that heavy rains have caused road blockages, delaying rescue teams. However, specialized relief squads and SDRF teams have now reached the affected villages.

Rivers in Spate in Rudraprayag

Meanwhile, Rudraprayag Police issued a high alert after the water levels of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers rose sharply due to continuous rainfall. Authorities have appealed to residents and pilgrims to stay away from riverbanks and shift to safer locations.

Local officials are monitoring vulnerable spots, especially areas near the Kedarnath route, which remains prone to flash floods during heavy rainfall.

Monsoon Havoc Across Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand has been facing relentless monsoon downpours, which have triggered multiple landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts across the state. In the last two weeks, incidents have been reported from Uttarkashi, Pauri, Dharali, and Tharali, claiming several lives and damaging property worth crores.

On Wednesday, CM Dhami personally visited the disaster-hit areas of Uttarkashi to assess the ground situation and announced a relief package for affected families. He assured that the state government is working closely with the central agencies to ensure swift rehabilitation.

IMD Issues Orange and Yellow Alerts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert for Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar, warning of very heavy rainfall in these districts on Friday.

Additionally, a yellow alert has been issued for Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Pauri Garhwal, Haridwar, Almora, and Nainital. These areas are expected to witness heavy rainfall, which could further worsen the flood-like conditions.

Precautionary Measures for Residents

Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to:

• Avoid unnecessary travel, especially on hilly and landslide-prone roads.
• Stay away from rivers and streams.
• Relocate to safer zones if advised by officials.
• Follow real-time updates and alerts issued by local administration.

The twin cloudbursts have once again highlighted Uttarakhand’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem, where extreme weather events have become increasingly frequent. With rains showing no signs of abating, the next few days will be crucial for both residents and rescue workers battling against time to save lives.