Key Points
- A devastating cloudburst struck the Nandanagar area of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district late Wednesday night, triggering flash floods and landslides.
- At least six houses were completely destroyed or buried under debris in the Kuntri Langafali ward.
- Official reports state that five people are missing and two have been rescued from the rubble so far.
- Massive rescue operations by SDRF and NDRF teams are underway but are being hampered by blocked roads and adverse weather.
- This tragedy comes just days after a cloudburst caused widespread destruction and killed 13 people in the state capital, Dehradun.
Chamoli: Monsoon fury has once again struck Uttarakhand, with a deadly cloudburst causing massive devastation in the Nandanagar Ghat area of Chamoli district. The disaster, which occurred late Wednesday night around 2:30 a.m., sent a torrent of water and debris crashing into several villages, burying homes and leaving at least five people missing.
The incident took place while residents were asleep. A massive flow of debris from the hillside above destroyed at least six houses in the Kuntri ward of Nandanagar. Two people were pulled alive from the rubble, but a frantic search continues for five others feared trapped. The sudden flood in the Moksha River also caused significant damage in Dhurma village and sparked panic throughout the region.
Rescue Operations on a War Footing
State and national disaster response teams were immediately mobilized. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have launched intensive search and rescue operations. However, their efforts are facing significant challenges as landslides triggered by the deluge have blocked roads, cutting off access to the affected villages.
According to Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari, authorities are working to clear the roads with the help of JCBs to allow rescue teams and medical aid to reach the remote sites. Three ambulances and a medical team have been dispatched to provide immediate assistance. The weather department has forecast more heavy rain, which could further complicate the rescue mission.
This disaster follows another recent tragedy in the state. Just four days prior, a cloudburst in Dehradun killed 13 people and washed away roads and bridges. In response to the ongoing extreme weather, the state government has issued a red alert for several districts, warning of continued risks from heavy rainfall and landslides.
