Cloudburst wreaks havoc in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag and Chamoli; families trapped, rivers swell, schools shut
Water levels in Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers are rising dangerously at their confluence
PTC Web Desk: A powerful cloudburst struck Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts, leaving several families trapped under debris and causing widespread damage. Multiple injuries have been reported, while rescue teams continue to search for those missing.
In Chamoli’s Dewal block (Mopata area), two persons— Tara Singh and his wife — went missing, while another couple, Vikram Singh and his wife, sustained injuries. Their cowshed collapsed during the downpour, killing nearly 15–20 cattle.
The situation remains critical in Rudraprayag, where six persons have been reported missing. Water levels in the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers are rising dangerously at their confluence. In Lawara village of Kedarnath valley, a motor road bridge was swept away by gushing waters. In Chenagad, conditions have worsened as river water entered residential areas, forcing the evacuation of several homes. The Hanuman temple in Rudraprayag has also been submerged.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed condolences on social media, noting that families in Basukedar (Rudraprayag) and Dewal (Chamoli) had been trapped due to debris flow. He assured that rescue and relief efforts are being carried out on a war footing by the local administration. Dhami said he was in constant contact with officials, including the Disaster Secretary and District Magistrates, to ensure effective operations.
Meanwhile, Rudraprayag District Magistrate Prateek Jain said heavy rainfall in Basukedar washed away four houses, but all residents were safely evacuated and no casualties occurred.
The impact of relentless rainfall has also been felt in Haldwani, where the Haldwani–Bhimtal road has been blocked after debris from a hillside near the Rani Bagh bridge shut down the route, disrupting traffic.
In view of the worsening weather, schools in Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Haridwar, and Pithoragarh districts have been ordered to remain closed today.