Chamoli, Uttarakhand (Rajeev Sharma): A cloudburst struck Tharali tehsil in Chamoli district late Friday night, causing large-scale destruction and leaving at least one person missing, officials said on Saturday.
According to District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari, the downpour sent massive debris rushing through the area, flattening several houses and severely damaging the official residence of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
Confirming the situation, Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman stated, “Heavy debris entered houses, markets and even the SDM’s residence. Relief teams along with the district administration have reached the affected site. One girl has gone missing, and search operations are ongoing.”
Locals reported a terrifying night as sudden torrents swept through residential areas, leaving people scrambling for safety. Shops and other establishments in the market area also bore the brunt of the flash flood-like conditions.
Authorities said emergency teams are engaged in clearing blocked stretches and evacuating families from vulnerable locations. Immediate relief supplies, including food and temporary shelter, are being arranged for those displaced.
The Chamoli incident has once again raised concerns over the increasing frequency of cloudbursts and extreme monsoon events in Uttarakhand. Experts have warned that fragile mountain terrain, combined with climate change, is intensifying the scale of such disasters.
