Cloudbursts Wreak Havoc in Uttarakhand: Families Trapped, Two Missing in Rudraprayag & Chamoli

A devastating cloudburst has struck the Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts of Uttarakhand, triggering flash floods and landslides that have trapped several families under debris and left at least two people missing. The deluge has caused widespread damage, sweeping away homes and bridges, and forcing the administration to launch rescue operations on a war footing.

The impact has been particularly severe in Dewal’s Mopata area in Chamoli, where a couple, Tara Singh and his wife, have been reported missing after their house was hit. Another couple in the same area sustained injuries, and their cowshed collapsed, burying an estimated 15 to 20 animals under the debris. In Rudraprayag, the relentless downpour has caused the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers to swell dangerously, with water entering residential areas and submerging the Hanuman temple at the confluence. In the Kedarnath valley, a crucial motor road bridge in Lawara village was completely washed away by the strong currents.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed the “sad news” of families being trapped and expressed his grief over the incident. “Relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing by the local administration. I am in constant touch with the officials regarding this matter and have given necessary instructions for the effective operation of rescue efforts,” Dhami stated in a post on X.

While initial reports raised fears of multiple people being trapped, Rudraprayag District Magistrate Prateek Jain confirmed that in the Basukedar tehsil, where four houses were washed away, all residents had been safely evacuated. “We are closely monitoring the situation,” he added.

As a precautionary measure, authorities have ordered the closure of all schools today in the affected districts of Rudraprayag and Chamoli, as well as in Bageshwar, Haridwar, and Pithoragarh.