Chamoli, Uttarakhand — At least five people have been reported missing following a devastating cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, triggered by torrential rainfall late Wednesday night. The downpour caused a massive debris flow in Nanda Nagar, leveling six buildings and leaving a trail of destruction.
The cloudburst struck with little warning, sweeping away homes and infrastructure in its path. Emergency response teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Public Works Department (PWD) have been working tirelessly to clear the rubble and search for survivors. JCB machines and heavy equipment have been deployed in the affected areas to expedite the relief efforts.
So far, two people have been successfully rescued from the debris, but the search and rescue operations are ongoing, hampered by relentless rain and difficult terrain. A medical team, along with three ambulances, has been dispatched to the site to provide assistance to the injured.
Despite the challenging conditions, authorities remain committed to locating the missing individuals. Local residents have reported that several people are still trapped inside their homes, with no word on their condition. The weather department has issued an alert for more heavy rainfall in the coming days, raising concerns of further landslides and infrastructure damage in the region.
“The conditions are extremely difficult right now. Continuous rain and the mountainous terrain are making it hard to carry out rescue operations,” said an official from the NDRF, adding that the focus remains on locating those who are missing and ensuring that the injured are given timely medical care.
This latest disaster comes just days after another cloudburst hit Dehradun’s Sahastradhara, claiming the lives of at least 13 people and causing widespread destruction. Roads, homes, and shops were damaged, and two major bridges were washed away. The Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, a major religious landmark in Dehradun, was also heavily damaged when the swollen Tamsa River flooded the temple grounds, submerging its Shivling and leaving deep cracks in its walls.
“The situation in Chamoli is critical. We are doing everything possible to save lives,” said the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, urging residents to stay alert and follow safety instructions.
In response to the growing threat, the state government has issued a red alert for several districts, including Dehradun, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, and Chamoli. The alert warns of extremely heavy rainfall, further landslides, potential infrastructure collapse, and an increase in fatalities through September 20.
Authorities are urging residents to remain indoors and avoid areas prone to landslides, while teams continue to work around the clock to provide assistance and assess the damage.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the ongoing rain and hazardous conditions are expected to complicate efforts in the coming days.
