In a tragic turn of events, a cloudburst struck Nandnagar in Chamoli district late on Wednesday night, unleashing widespread devastation across several villages. Heavy debris, triggered by intense rainfall, destroyed six houses in Fali village, leaving five people missing. Two others were rescued as State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams rushed to the affected areas.
Our correspondent reports that the cloudburst occurred in the hills above Fali, Kuntri, Senti Kuntri, Bhainswara, and Dhurma villages. Torrential rain carried massive amounts of mud and rocks downhill, burying homes and livestock. Residents spent the night in fear as boulders and stones crashed down in the darkness.
According to officials, SDRF teams quickly reached Nandprayag, while NDRF units moved from Gauchar to join the rescue operation. The Chief Medical Officer confirmed that a medical team and three ambulances were sent to the site to assist survivors. Our correspondent adds that in Dhurma village under Nandnagar tehsil, five more houses were damaged, though fortunately no casualties were reported there.
District Magistrate Dr. Sandeep Tiwari said the rescue mission remains the top priority. He added that searches are underway to trace those missing and arrangements are being made for displaced families. Authorities have also issued warnings as the water level in the Moksh river has risen dangerously following the cloudburst.
Cloudbursts are not new to Chamoli or Uttarakhand. Our correspondent reports that the state has a long history of monsoon-triggered disasters, with terrain highly vulnerable to flash floods and landslides. In 2013, the Kedarnath tragedy claimed thousands of lives after a combination of glacial melt and heavy rain swept through the Mandakini valley. More recently, in 2021, Chamoli witnessed another deadly incident when a massive glacier burst caused flooding in the Rishi Ganga and Dhauliganga rivers, killing over 200 people.
Our correspondent adds that smaller but destructive cloudbursts are reported almost every monsoon season, particularly in districts such as Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli. Experts note that climate change is likely contributing to the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events, putting local communities at higher risk.
Residents of Chamoli have often complained that despite repeated disasters, long-term safety measures such as slope stabilization, early-warning systems, and planned evacuations remain inadequate. Wednesday’s incident has once again sparked debate on the preparedness of authorities to tackle recurring natural calamities.
Relief work is ongoing, with the state administration coordinating between disaster response forces, medical teams, and local volunteers. Food supplies, temporary shelters, and clothing are being distributed to those affected. Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and to avoid riverbanks or unstable slopes as heavy rainfall continues.
For the families of the missing, the wait is filled with uncertainty. As rescuers continue to dig through debris and search along the swollen riverbanks, hopes remain high that those unaccounted for will be found.
The Chamoli cloudburst serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between human settlements and the volatile Himalayan ecosystem. With monsoon rains forecast to persist, Uttarakhand remains on edge, bracing for further challenges in the days ahead.
