Dhami Orders Urgent Relief Measures as Cloudbursts and Flash Floods Ravage Uttarakhand

Dehradun, August 30 – Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened an emergency review meeting today to outline an immediate action plan after a series of devastating cloudbursts and flash floods swept across the state this month.

At the meeting with district magistrates and senior officials, Dhami directed all departments to intensify relief and rescue operations with maximum coordination. He ordered the swift restoration of blocked highways, repair of essential services such as electricity and water supply, and expedited preparations for the upcoming Char Dham pilgrimage and festival season, which remain severely affected by washed-out roads and landslides.

The Chief Minister stressed urgent relocation of disaster-hit families to safer locations and instructed departments to maintain round-the-clock vigilance throughout the monsoon. Officials were asked to expedite tenders for infrastructure repairs and ensure smooth arrangements for pilgrims and festival-goers in the coming weeks.

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued red and orange alerts for heavy rainfall in Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Dehradun, and other districts, adding urgency to the government’s response. Teams from the SDRF, NDRF, police, and revenue departments are working continuously in the most affected regions, including Rudraprayag and Chamoli. Families in Dewal and Basukedar have been shifted, debris has been cleared from riverbanks, and search missions have been launched for missing persons.

Local authorities are closely monitoring rising river levels and moving residents from vulnerable areas to safety. Animal husbandry teams are also on the ground to assist with disaster-hit livestock. Dhami has assured districts that immediate assistance will be provided and directed officials to prioritize life-saving measures above all else.

The crisis follows a string of deadly incidents. On August 5, a cloudburst in Dharali, Uttarkashi triggered a massive flash flood along the Kheer Ganga river. In the following weeks, extreme rainfall and additional cloudbursts hit Sukhi Top, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and Bageshwar, collapsing houses and bridges and displacing hundreds. At least five people were killed in the initial disaster, with many more feared trapped under debris as losses mounted across the state.

Rescue operations continue, with the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and police carrying out high-risk evacuations and air-dropping relief material to stranded communities.