Cloudburst in Uttarakhand's Chamoli leaves 10 missing, rescue efforts underway

Chamoli: At least 10 people are missing after a cloudburst triggered by torrential rain struck Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district late Wednesday, causing widespread destruction.

The sudden downpour sent heavy debris cascading through Nanda Nagar, reducing six buildings to rubble. Two people were rescued alive, but several others are feared trapped, officials said.

Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Public Works Department have been deployed, with JCB machines and other equipment pressed into service for debris clearance and relief work. A medical team with three ambulances has also been rushed to the area.

Rescue operations continue despite relentless rain, treacherous terrain and the looming threat of fresh landslides. The India Meteorological Department has warned of more heavy rainfall in the coming days across Chamoli.

The incident comes just four days after a devastating cloudburst in Dehradun’s Sahastradhara killed at least 13 people, washed away roads, damaged homes and shops, and destroyed two bridges. That disaster also caused severe flooding at Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, where sand and debris submerged the Shivling and left deep cracks in the walls.

In response to the worsening weather, the Uttarakhand government has issued a red alert for Dehradun, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts, warning of extremely heavy rain, potential landslides, infrastructure damage and rising casualties through September 20.

IANS