A massive cloudburst struck the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand late Friday night, triggering flash floods and widespread damage across the Tharali tehsil. The unexpected deluge caused debris to flow into residential areas, burying homes, vehicles, and other structures under rubble. Among the buildings affected was the official residence of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), which has been completely destroyed.
At least two people, including a young girl from Sagwara village, are feared trapped under the debris. Search and rescue operations are underway, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) working tirelessly to locate the missing individuals.
The cloudburst also led to the closure of key roads, including the Tharali-Gwaldam and Tharali-Sagwara routes, making it difficult for rescue teams to access the affected areas. Local authorities have issued a yellow alert due to the possibility of more rainfall in the coming days. This incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events, especially during the monsoon season.
