A cloudburst struck Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district late Friday night, causing widespread destruction in Tharali and leaving one person missing and a young girl trapped under debris.
Rescue teams and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have launched relief operations as blocked roads and washed-out vehicles add to the crisis.
According to officials, the Tharali market, Kotdeep, and the Tharali tehsil complex bore the brunt of the cloudburst, with debris sweeping through homes, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s residence, and several buildings.
Many vehicles parked at the tehsil complex were buried under mud and rubble, while streets in the town turned into waterlogged ponds.
Also Read : Rescue operations continue in Dharali; 43 still missing
Shops in Chepdaon market were damaged by falling debris, and one person was reported missing, heightening concerns for residents’ safety.
A video circulating on social media captured the distress of locals, with one man lamenting, “Meri car doob gayi” (My car has sunken), underscoring the scale of damage to property and livelihoods.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed concern over the tragedy, stating that he is in constant touch with the district administration and monitoring the situation personally.
“Late last night, a tragic report of a cloudburst was received in the Tharali area of Chamoli district. The district administration, SDRF, and police have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. In this regard, I am in constant contact with the local administration and am personally closely monitoring the situation. I pray to God for everyone’s safety,” he wrote on X.
The disaster also blocked major routes, including the Tharali-Gwaldam road near Minggedera and the Tharali-Sagwara stretch, disrupting local movement. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has deployed teams near Ming Khedere to clear debris and reopen roads for relief operations.
District Magistrate Dr Sandeep Tiwari confirmed that police and administration officials are actively involved in the ongoing rescue efforts. An SDRF team has been sent from Gauchar to assist in operations.
In response to the situation, the district administration has ordered all schools and anganwadi centres in Tharali tehsil to remain closed on Saturday, 23 August 2025.
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