Several families were trapped under debris after a cloudburst struck Rudraprayag’s Buskedar tehsil and Chamoli’s Deval area late on Thursday. The sudden downpour caused widespread damage, leading to multiple injuries and loss of livestock. In Bareth Dungar Tok, Tara Singh and his wife went missing after their house collapsed, while Vikram Singh and his wife sustained injuries. Around 15–20 cattle were buried when a cowshed gave way under the force of debris.
Damage to Infrastructure
In Rudraprayag, heavy rains washed away a bridge on the motor road in Lawara village of Kedarnath valley. The rising waters of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers at their confluence caused additional flooding, while the Hanuman temple in Rudraprayag was partially submerged. Several homes in low-lying areas suffered severe damage.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that rescue and relief work is being carried out on a war footing. He directed the Disaster Secretary and District Magistrates to supervise operations closely and said he remains in constant touch with officials. Teams of the SDRF, NDRF, and local police have been deployed in the affected areas to evacuate residents and provide immediate aid.
Weather Alerts and Monsoon Risks
The India Meteorological Department had earlier issued flash flood warnings for nine districts of Uttarakhand, including Rudraprayag. Persistent heavy rainfall across the region has heightened the risk of landslides, road blockages, and flash floods. Experts have cautioned that the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and unchecked development are worsening the impact of such natural disasters.
The state government has assured full support to affected families. Relief camps have been set up, while medical teams and essential supplies are being rushed to disaster-hit areas. The administration reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness and ensuring speedy rehabilitation in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a resilient Uttarakhand.
