Cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli District Claims One Life, Army Joins Rescue Efforts

Chamoli, Uttarakhand, August 23, 2025: A cloudburst struck Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district late Friday night, killing a young girl and leaving widespread destruction in its wake. The disaster occurred in Tharali tehsil and nearby areas, where heavy debris swept through homes, markets, and government buildings, prompting Indian Army and SDRF teams to launch immediate rescue and relief operations.

In the Tharali tehsil, the market area, Kotdeep, and the tehsil complex suffered severe damage as water and debris inundated the region, burying several vehicles under rubble. Streets turned into temporary ponds, and panic spread among residents as homes were flooded and structures collapsed. In the nearby Sagwara village, a girl was reported to be buried under the debris inside a building, causing panic in the area. Some shops in the Chepdon market area were also damaged.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed concern over the tragedy, stating he is in constant contact with district officials and monitoring the rescue operations personally. In a social media post, he assured that relief measures are underway and prayed for the safety of all affected residents.

The Indian Army confirmed deploying Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) columns, medical teams, and search-and-rescue dogs from Rudraprayag and Joshimath. Additional troops and resources have been mobilised to restore normalcy, while the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) works to clear blocked roads, including the Tharali-Gwaldam and Tharali-Sagwara routes, both of which remain closed due to heavy debris and rainfall.

The district administration has ordered the closure of all schools and anganwadi centres in Tharali tehsil for Saturday as precautionary measures. Rescue teams from SDRF and local police are working around the clock to assist affected families and reopen essential roadways.

Source: NDTV

Images: X (@Anoopnautiyal1)

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