News Brief
Multiple Feared Missing After Cloudburst In Uttarakhand's Chamoli District, Rescue Ops Underway
Pic Via X
A cloudburst struck Chamoli district in Uttarakhand on Friday (22 August) night, NDTV reported.
Many people are feared missing after the debris gushed into homes and buildings.
According to officials, the Tharali market area and the Tharali tehsil complex were heavily covered by debris.
Officials reported that the Tharali market area and the Tharali tehsil complex were heavily covered by debris.
Residential sections, shops, vehicles, and even the official residence of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) were engulfed.
In Sagwara village, panic spread after reports emerged of a girl being trapped beneath debris inside a building.
Authorities confirmed that residents fled their homes as rescue operations were immediately launched in the affected areas.
Shops in the Chepdon market area sustained significant damage in the cloudburst’s aftermath.
Heavy rainfall and debris forced the closure of the Tharali-Gwaldam and Tharali-Sagwara roads, severely impacting traffic flow.
Both NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed for rescue operations since Friday night.
"NDRF and SDRF teams moved to the spot last night. The road has been blocked due to the floods and people are facing a lot of problems. The administration is engaged in relief work. Apart from this, we have set up relief camps," Additional District Magistrate Vivek Prakash was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
According to Chamoli police, many locals have been evacuated from their homes and taken to safer locations.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated he is keeping a close watch on developments.
In a post on X, he said, “Late last night, a tragic report of a cloudburst was received in the Tharali area of Chamoli district. The district administration, SDRF, and police have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am in constant contact with the local administration and personally monitoring the situation. I pray to God for everyone’s safety.”
The state has faced persistent heavy rainfall this monsoon, triggering cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides.
Earlier in August, a cloudburst in Harsil and Dharali caused flash floods, leaving several missing and damaging vital infrastructure.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'orange' alert for very heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand till 25 August.
