Woman dies in Rudraprayag; rescue operations ongoing amid heavy rainfall

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand is grappling with the devastating impact from continuous heavy rainfall, with a woman reported dead in Jakholi, Rudraprayag district, following severe cloudbursts affecting multiple locations.

Uttarakhand Disaster Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman detailed three critical locations of cloudbursts in Rudraprayag. Kumar said that flooding and debris from both sides of a village have trapped residents, while rescue teams struggle to reach them due to strong water currents.

He said, “Information has been received about three locations in Rudraprayag. At one location, debris and water have come from both sides of the village, trapping people. Teams are present at the spot but are unable to enter the villages because the water flow is very strong. There are also reports of some houses and cow sheds being damaged.”

#WATCH | Uttarakhand Disaster Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman says, “Information has been received about three locations in Rudraprayag. At one location, debris and water have come from both sides of the village, trapping people. Teams are present at the spot but are unable to enter… pic.twitter.com/ZY8tqAQMih

— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2025

He added, “The second incident is coming from Jakholi in the same Rudraprayag district, where there is information about the death of a woman.” Several people remain missing, and ongoing search operations are being conducted to locate them. “At the third incident site, there is also information about a bus being damaged… There are also reports of some people missing, whose search is underway.” Kumar said.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan reached the control room on Friday to review the situation arising from heavy rainfall in various districts of the state the previous night and to assess the situation. Earlier, due to heavy rains in Badeth Dungar Tok under the Tehsil Basukedaar area of Rudraprayag district, local families were affected due to heavy debris.

According to a release, as soon as information was received about some people being stranded in the affected area, Arpan Yaduvanshi, Commandant of the SDRF Uttarakhand, ordered teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Uttarakhand to be dispatched immediately from Sonprayag, Agastyamuni, and Ratuda to the spot with necessary rescue equipment.

#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

Due to heavy rains in Badeth Dungar Tok under the Tehsil Basukedaar area of Rudraprayag district, local families were affected due to heavy debris.

According to a release, as soon as information was received about some people being stranded in the affected area, Arpan Yaduvanshi, Commandant of the SDRF Uttarakhand, ordered teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Uttarakhand to be dispatched immediately from Sonprayag, Agastyamuni, and Ratuda to the spot with necessary rescue equipment.

SDRF teams are constantly working to reach the affected village, overcoming extreme obstacles and adverse conditions. Crossing the overflowing streams and obstacles on the way, the soldiers themselves are crossing safely and are also helping the local villagers to reach safe places.

The team is reaching the site of the incident and taking coordinated action to evacuate the affected families safely and to conduct necessary relief and rescue operations. SDRF is making efforts to take the affected people to safer places as soon as possible.

In Uttarkashi, following the Dharali disaster, necessary machines and personnel have been deployed to open the temporary lake formed on the Bhagirathi River in Harshil and to remove mud and debris from the submerged section of the highway. The work is ongoing continuously, according to the District Administration of Uttarkashi.

Meanwhile, police in Uttarakhand have issued urgent advisories for Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts, as continuous heavy rainfall in the State has led to a dangerous rise in water levels in local rivers, including in Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts, prompting evacuation for residents living near riverbanks.

Chamoli police alerted that river water levels have reached critical heights and has strongly urged residents living along the riverbanks to move to safer locations immediately. Chamoli police emphasised, “Your vigilance is your safety,” while urging people to act swiftly and responsibly.

Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand | Basukedaar Rescue Update: SDRF rescue team has reached the affected area. Approximately 200 people have taken refuge in the government school. Two to three families are stranded across the stream; the SDRF team is making efforts to evacuate them.… pic.twitter.com/oyVhOpWCja

— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2025

Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said that relief work is being carried out by locals at the Mopata landslide area in Dewal, Chamoli district, while on the other hand, the DDRF team and Tehsildar are trying to clear the blocked roads leading to Dewal.

In Rudraprayag, water levels of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers increased significantly. Police and administration teams are actively informing the public to stay away from riverbanks and move to secure areas to avoid flood-related danger.

According to Rudraprayag police, “Due to continuous rainfall, the water levels of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers have risen significantly. The Rudraprayag Police and administration teams are informing the general public to avoid going near the riverbanks and to move to safe locations.” (ANI)