Three villages in Chamoli, Uttarakhand suffered severe devastation due to a cloudburst. Several houses were buried under debris, and 10 people are reported missing. NDRF and SDRF teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations.
Uttarakhand Cloud Burst: A cloudburst incident occurred at two locations in the Nandanagar Ghat area of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, late at night. A flash flood, triggered by heavy rainfall, caused widespread destruction in three villages. Several houses were buried under debris in this accident, and so far, 10 people have been confirmed missing.
Most Affected Villages
The villages of Kuntri Lagafali, Sarpani, and Dhurma in the Nandanagar tehsil have been the most affected by this disaster. In Kuntri Lagafali, six houses were completely submerged under debris, while five houses were damaged in Dhurma village. Sarpani village also suffered significant damage to its fields and agricultural land. Villagers stated that the sudden disaster that struck at night did not even give people a chance to react.
Number of Missing Persons Increased
Initially, the report indicated three people missing. However, as relief efforts intensified, this number rose to 10. Local authorities stated that the exact figures will only be revealed after the completion of rescue operations.
Rescue Operations Intensified
Upon receiving information about the incident, the administration immediately commenced rescue operations. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team has reached Nandaprayag, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has departed from Gauchar for the site. A medical team has also reached the location. According to the Chief Medical Officer, three ambulances have been dispatched to the scene to ensure immediate medical attention for the injured.
Damage to Property and Livestock
The debris caused by the heavy rainfall completely destroyed several houses. Fields and agricultural land have also been damaged. There are also reports of livestock casualties. Villagers have expressed that their means of livelihood have been completely devastated.
Challenges Faced by Rescue Teams
Continuous rainfall and the presence of debris are hampering relief operations. Roads have been blocked in several places, causing delays for rescue teams in reaching the affected areas. Despite these challenges, SDRF and NDRF are persistently working to locate trapped and missing individuals.
This tragedy has instilled fear among the villagers. The debris, accompanied by loud noises, swept away houses overnight. Many families are seeking shelter in safer locations and hoping for assistance from the administration.
Meteorological Department's Warning
The Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy rainfall with thunderstorms in areas such as Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Ghansali, Shivpuri, Devprayag, Rishikesh, Chamba, Mussoorie, and Dhanolti. Experts indicate that cloudbursts and flash floods are common occurrences in hilly regions during the monsoon season and can cause significant damage.
The administration has appealed to the public to stay away from danger zones and adhere to the advisories issued by the Meteorological Department. The state government has also directed the acceleration of relief and rescue operations. The Chief Minister's office has assured that affected families will receive all possible assistance, and the search for the missing individuals will continue.
