Uttarakhand cloudburst: Two people missing, several houses damaged in Chamoli district

Two people went missing while several houses were damaged after a cloudburst and flashfloods hit Tharali town in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Friday night.

 

According to officials, debris entered several houses and the market area after a rain drain gave in. The Tharali-Gwaldam road and the Tharali-Sagwara road have been closed for traffic.

 

A 20-year-old woman, identified as Kavitha, was reportedly buried under the debris in Sagwara village, the Chamoli district administration said. The other person, Joshi, was missing from the Chepdon market area.

 

"A lot of debris has come due to the cloudburst, due to which many houses, including the SDM residence, have been completely damaged," Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said.

 

Schools remained shut in three development blocks as a flood-like situation persists in the region.

 

"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 told news agency ANI.

 

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he is in contact with the district administration regarding the rescue and relief operations.

 

“The district administration, SDRF, and police have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. In this regard, I am in constant contact with the local administration and am personally closely monitoring the situation. I pray to God for everyone's safety," CM Dhami posted on X. 

 

The incident comes days after a cloudburst over the upper Kheer Ganga (Kheer Gad) catchment triggered a debris-laden flash flood that devastated Dharali and the adjoining Harsil area of Uttarkashi, causing widespread destruction on August 5.

India