Cloudbursts hit Rudraprayag, Chamoli in Uttarakhand; rescue ops under way for trapped families

DEHRADUN: Cloudbursts struck the Bareth Dungar Tok area in Buskedar tehsil, Rudraprayag district, and Deval area of Chamoli district, trapping several families due to debris flow.

Expressing distress, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken cognisance of the situation. In a post on X on Friday, CM Dhami wrote, “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”.

जनपद रुद्रप्रयाग के तहसील बसुकेदार क्षेत्र के अंतर्गत बड़ेथ डुंगर तोक और जनपद चमोली के देवाल क्षेत्र में बादल फटने के कारण मलबा आने से कुछ परिवारों के फंसे होने का दुःखद समाचार प्राप्त हुआ है। स्थानीय प्रशासन द्वारा राहत और बचाव कार्य युद्धस्तर पर जारी है, इस संबंध में निरंतर…

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) August 29, 2025

He stated that the relief and rescue operations are underway on a “war footing” by the local administration; in this regard. CM Dhami informed that he has been in constant contact with officials and has issued necessary instructions to the Disaster Secretary and District Magistrates to ensure the effective conduct of rescue operations.

The CM said, “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”.

#WATCH | Rudraprayag District Administration informed that due to the cloudburst incident in Badeth Dungar Tok area of ​​Tehsil Basukedaar of Rudraprayag district, information has been received about damage in some areas due to debris. Relief and rescue operations are being… pic.twitter.com/CJ8nkprjJS

— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2025

According to Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tewari, “Two people are missing and many animals have been buried in the cloudburst incident in the Dewal area of the Chamoli district. Due to heavy rain in the entire district, the roads are closed. Relief teams have reached the spot.”

Additionally, the water level of the Alaknanda River in Srinagar has reached near the danger mark. The river is in spate due to continuous rainfall, raising concerns over potential flooding.

Uttarakhand | Tehri Garhwal District Disaster Officer Brijesh Bhatt told ANI that a cloudburst incident took place in Genwali Bhilangana at night. He said that according to the information received, there has been no loss of life. There is a possibility of damage to… pic.twitter.com/hQEIdvAL0r

— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2025

Tehri Garhwal District Disaster Officer Brijesh Bhatt stated that a cloudburst incident occurred in Genwali Bhilangana during the night. He said that according to the information received, there has been no loss of life. However, there is a possibility of damage to public/private property. To assess the damage, the revenue team has left.

Bhatt said, “Along with this, health, electricity, water institute, water corporation, PWD, Wapcos, and the veterinary team have left for response.”

The Badrinath highway between Srinagar and Rudraprayag has been completely submerged by the Alaknanda River, causing a total blockade of traffic along the route. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pauri, Lokeshwar Singh, said, “Traffic has been stopped at safe places. Arrangements are being made to send the pilgrims forward through alternative routes. Police has been deployed for security purposes”.

Rudraprayag District Magistrate Prateek Jain said he is constantly in touch with the officials from the disaster control room and action is being taken to deploy district level officers in the affected areas. The District Magistrate has given necessary guidelines to conduct rescue operations effectively.

Under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate, all the district level officers are continuously working in coordination with each other in the District Disaster Control Room.

Different teams from National Highway (NH), Public Works Department (PWD), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are engaged in opening the way in the affected areas. Relief and rescue teams are being sent by identifying alternative routes to reach the affected areas. Various officers from the district level have been sent to the affected villages along with the concerned Revenue Inspector and other personnel for immediate action.

As per reports, one house was damaged and a vehicle (Bolero) washed away in Syur, water and debris flow affecting Badeth, Bagaddhar and Taljaman villages, and agricultural land covered by large boulders and debris in Kimana. Additionally, a fish pond and poultry farm have been destroyed in Arkhund, while the Chenagad market area suffered debris deposits and vehicle losses.

According to the District Administration, there are reports of missing persons in Chhenagad Dugar and Joula Badeth villages. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and the revenue department are actively conducting rescue operations and ensuring the swift evacuation and assistance of affected people to safe locations.

Meanwhile, on Monday, after a yellow alert for rain was issued by the Indian Meteorological Department, the Chamoli Police sent people residing near the sliding zones to relief camps located in Kulsari, where the administration had made arrangements for both food and other essential facilities. (ANI)