Cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli: One Feared Dead, Heavy Damage to Shops and Vehicles

Chamoli Cloudburst: One Feared Dead, Shops and Vehicles Damaged; CM Dhami Monitoring Situation

A cloudburst hit Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district late Friday night, causing widespread destruction in Tharali market, Kotdeep, and the tehsil complex. Large volumes of water and debris swept through homes, the SDM residence, and several buildings, leaving behind scenes of devastation.

Several vehicles parked in the tehsil complex were buried, while the streets of Tharali turned into temporary ponds. In nearby Sagwara village, a young girl is feared dead after being trapped under debris, and one more person has gone missing.

Shops in Chepdaon market were also damaged, while videos from the area showed vehicles being swept away. In one clip, a man was heard lamenting, “Meri car doob gayi”, reflecting the personal losses suffered by residents.

Relief Operations Underway
Rescue teams, including SDRF, police, and local administration, rushed to the site. The BRO has been deployed to clear the Tharali–Gwaldam and Tharali–Sagwara roads, both blocked due to debris.

Chamoli District Magistrate Dr. Sandeep Tiwari confirmed that relief and rescue efforts are in full swing. All schools and anganwadi centres in Tharali tehsil have been ordered shut on Saturday, August 23.

CM Dhami’s Statement
Expressing grief, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he is closely monitoring the situation and is in constant touch with district officials. “I pray for everyone’s safety,” he posted on X.