Cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag and Chamoli, Families Trapped; Rescue Operations on War Footing

RUDRAPRAYAG/CHAMOLI | August 29, 2025 A cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts late Thursday night left several families trapped under debris, damaged infrastructure, and triggered a surge in river levels, prompting large-scale rescue operations by the state administration and disaster relief teams. The cloudburst struck Bareth Dungar Tok under Buskedar tehsil of Rudraprayag district and Deval area of Chamoli district. The sudden gush of water and debris flow buried houses, swept away livestock, and blocked access routes, leaving residents stranded. Two persons have gone missing so far, while several others have been injured, officials confirmed. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, reacting to the disaster, said in a statement: “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. Relief and rescue operations are underway at a war footing by the local administration; in this regard, 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.” In Rudraprayag, the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers — which converge at Devprayag — have seen a sharp rise in water levels. Police and administrative teams have issued advisories urging residents to stay away from riverbanks. In Kedarnath valley, a bridge in Lawara village was washed away by strong currents, cutting off motorable access. Chenagad village has also been reported as critical due to heavy flooding and landslides. Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed that relief teams have reached the affected zones despite severe weather. “Heavy rainfall and road blockages are hampering access, but teams have reached affected spots. Rescue and evacuation of trapped families is underway,” he said. Along with human casualties, dozens of cattle and domestic animals are feared buried under debris. Rudraprayag Police, in a tweet, warned: “With continuous rainfall, the water levels of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers have risen sharply. Police and administrative teams are urging people to stay away from riverbanks and move to safer locations.” SDRF and police teams are using earthmovers to clear blocked routes, while emergency medical units have been deployed. Local residents described hearing a loud rumble before torrents of water and rocks rushed down the slopes, flattening houses and cutting off hamlets. Power supply has been disrupted in several villages, while communication lines remain unstable. Cloudbursts are a recurring threat in Uttarakhand during the monsoon, but their suddenness and intensity continue to overwhelm disaster preparedness. The fragile Himalayan terrain, coupled with dense habitation in river valleys, makes the region particularly vulnerable to such extreme weather events. As relief operations continue, the state government has requested central assistance to be kept on standby in case of further escalation. Temporary relief camps are being set up to house displaced families. Officials have warned that persistent rainfall may worsen the situation in the coming days. The latest incident adds to a series of cloudbursts and flash floods across Himalayan states this monsoon, underscoring the urgent need for strengthened disaster management systems and climate-resilient infrastructure. Cloudburst Triggers Chaos in Rudraprayag & Chamoli A devastating cloudburst has struck Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts, leaving families trapped under debris and cutting off vital routes. Rising water levels in the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers have worsened the crisis, with bridges washed away and villages stranded. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that rescue operations are underway at a war footing and expressed prayers for the safety of all. SDRF, police, and district authorities are on high alert as heavy rainfall continues to pose serious risks across the region. Relief camps are being set up for displaced families.