A cloudburst struck Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district late Friday night, leaving many people feared missing as debris swept through residential and market areas. Rescue operations are underway with multiple agencies, including the Indian Army, NDRF, and SDRF, working on the ground.
Officials reported that the Tharali market area and the Tharali tehsil complex were buried under debris, along with several residential structures, including the official residence of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). Shops, vehicles, and parts of Sagwara village were also heavily impacted, with one girl reportedly trapped under debris inside a building.
Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed significant destruction, stating, “There is a possibility of a lot of damage due to the cloud burst in Tharali tehsil of Chamoli last night. A lot of debris has come due to the cloudburst, due to which many houses, including the SDM residence, have been completely damaged.”
Locals rushed out of their homes as the Tharali-Gwaldam and Tharali-Sagwara roads were shut due to debris and heavy rainfall. Video footage from the area showed homes inundated with knee-deep water and covered in mud.
Rescue and Relief Operations
Additional District Magistrate Vivek Prakash said, “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.”
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Prakash added that a 20-year-old woman, identified as Kavita, was buried under debris while another resident named Joshi was reported missing.
The Indian Army confirmed deployment of HADR columns, medical teams, and search-and-rescue dogs from Rudraprayag and Joshimath. “Army detachment at Tharali already at ground zero, extending immediate rescue & relief. Additional troops & resources… are being mobilised and joint operations are currently underway with civil administration,” the Central Command of the Indian Army stated.
Chamoli Police reported prompt evacuations: “Considering the severity of the situation, the Tharali police showed promptness during the night, alerting local people and evacuating them from their homes to safer locations.”
Chief Minister Monitoring Situation
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he is personally overseeing developments. “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. 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,” Dhami posted on X.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange’ alert for very heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand until August 25, warning of intense downpours across Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Dehradun, Tehri, and Garhwal hills over the next three days.
