Uttarakhand Cloudburst: Massive Destruction in Chamoli, Woman Buried Under Debris, Vehicles Swept Away

Chamoli (The Uttam Hindu): A devastating cloudburst struck Chamoli district’s Tharali block late Friday night, causing widespread destruction and triggering panic in several villages. Continuous heavy rainfall since the evening led to the sudden disaster, leaving houses, shops, and vehicles buried under debris.

The worst-affected areas include Kotdeep, Radibagad, Upper Bazaar, Kulsari, Chepado, and Sagwada, where mud and debris entered residential homes and commercial establishments. Many vehicles were damaged, with several motorcycles and cars swept away.

In Chepado village, the destruction was severe, with reports of an elderly man missing. In Sagwada, a 20-year-old woman was reportedly buried under debris. Several homes and shops in Kotdeep suffered heavy damage, while even the SDM’s residence and the Municipal Chairman’s house in Radibagad were inundated by debris, causing walls to collapse.

Chamoli ADM Vivek Prakash confirmed the casualties, stating that a woman named Kavita is feared trapped, while one person remains missing. Rescue teams from the SDRF, police, and district administration have been deployed and are shifting residents to safer locations while assessing damage.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the incident, writing on social media: “Deeply saddened by the news of a cloudburst in Tharali, Chamoli. District administration, SDRF, and police are carrying out rescue and relief operations. I am personally monitoring the situation and pray for everyone’s safety.”

The disaster has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Uttarakhand’s hill districts to flash floods and cloudbursts, especially during monsoon spells.