Uttarakhand cloudburst: Houses, market damaged; 1 buried in debris, many missing | VIDEO

New Delhi: One woman has been buried in debris and several others are feared missing since the cloudburst in Uttarakhand's Tharali under Chamoli district caused extensive damage to houses, markets and even the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's residence, the district administration informed on Saturday.

Search and rescue operations are underway to get the woman out of the debris, with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also carrying out rescue operations to anyone affected.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed the state under an orange alert, cautioning residents of thunderstorms, lightning, and “very intense” rainfall. The advisory covers districts including Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Nainital, and Almora. The alert will remain active until Saturday afternoon.

According to Uttarakhand Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, debris entered houses, the market area, and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s residence in Tharali of Chamoli district following the cloudburst.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while praying for everyone's safety, stated that he is in contact with the district administration regarding the relief and rescue operations.

"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," CM Dhami posted on X.

Kavita got buried under debris after the cloudburst incident on Friday night, and Joshi has been missing around the same time. Chamoli Additional District Magistrate (ADM) stated in a self-made video message that roads have been blocked due to the floods.

"There has been a lot of damage due to the flash floods. A 20-year-old woman named Kavita has been buried, and a man named Joshi is missing. NDRF and SDRF teams moved to the spot last night. The road has been blocked due to the floods and people are facing a lot of problems. The administration is engaged in relief work. Apart from this, we have set up relief camps. The District Magistrate has left early in the morning and has reached the spot, and relief work is going on there," said Chamoli ADM Vivek Prakash.

A flood-like situation persists in Tunri Gadhera and the debris has reached structures near the Pindar River. The rain has rendered Karnaprayag-Gwaldam National Highway connecting Tharali shut due to debris near Ming Gadhera.

The Tharali-Sagwara road and Dungri road have also been closed for traffic. Schools remained shut in three development blocks at government's order.

(wih inputs from ANI and PTI)