Cloudburst batters Rudraprayag, Chamoli — mud swallows homes, trees uprooted, families feared trapped

Many were feared to be trapped under debris after cloudbursts incidents were reported in the Rudraprayag district and the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Friday, “A distressing report has been received that due to cloudbursts in the Bareth Dungar Tok area under the Buskedar tehsil of Rudraprayag district and in the Deval area of Chamoli district, some families have been trapped due to debris flow.”

Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said two people are missing and many animals were buried in the cloudburst incident in the Dewal area of ​​the district.

Water level rises in Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers

Rudraprayag police said in a post on X, "Due to continuous rainfall, the water levels of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers have risen significantly. The Rudraprayag Police and administrative teams are advising the general public to stay away from the riverbanks and relocate to safe areas."

Meanwhile, in the Chamoli district, the water levels of rivers rose to dangerous levels. “All people living in houses built along the riverbanks, please move to safe locations immediately. Your vigilance is your safety,” Chamoli police said.

Cloudburst in Genwali Bhilangana

A cloudburst incident also took place in Genwali Bhilangana at Thursday night. Tehri Garhwal District Disaster Officer Brijesh Bhatt said that according to the information received, there has been no loss of life.

“There is a possibility of damage to public/private property. The revenue team has left. Along with this, health, electricity, water institute, water corporation, PWD, Wapcos, veterinary team have left for response,” he said.

Chamoli traffic advisory

The Chamoli Police had on Thursday issued a traffic advisory informing about the blockage of Joshimath-Malari road route due to debris falling before Surai Thota.

Continuous work is being done to remove the debris using JCB machines on the route, and the route is expected to open by evening.

"The Joshimath-Malari road route has been blocked due to debris falling before Surai Thota. Continuous work is being done to remove the debris using JCB machines on the route, and the route is expected to open by evening," Chamoli Police wrote on 'X'.

The Uttarkashi district administration told ANI that, following the Dharali-Harsil natural disaster, the administration has been continuously sending rations and essential relief materials to the affected areas through MI-17 from Chinyalisaur airstrip and helicopters from Matli helipad.

Earlier, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each for families whose houses were damaged and for the families of those who died in the Tharali and Dharali flash floods, according to an official statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday visited the disaster-affected areas in Syanachatti in Uttarkashi district and reviewed ongoing efforts to drain a temporary lake that formed after debris obstructed the flow of the Yamuna river.

The chief minister met affected families, heard their concerns and assured them of all possible help. After inspecting the temporary lake, he directed officials to remove the silt deposited in the river route and widen the mouth of the lake to ensure faster drainage.

On Friday, August 29, Dhami said relief and rescue operations are underway on a war footing by the local administration.

"In this regard, I am in constant contact with officials and have issued necessary instructions to the Disaster Secretary and District Magistrates to ensure the effective conduct of rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safe well-being of all," Pushkar Singh Dhami said in a post on X.