Daijiworld Media Network - Chamoli

Chamoli, Sep 18: A cloudburst late Wednesday night triggered massive debris flow in Chamoli district’s Nanda Nagar area, washing away six houses and leaving at least five people missing.

According to officials, two persons have been rescued alive from the rubble, while frantic search and rescue operations are underway despite heavy rains and treacherous terrain hampering efforts. Teams from the SDRF, NDRF, and Public Works Department have been deployed, with JCB machines and other equipment pressed into service. A medical team with three ambulances has also reached the site.

Authorities fear that several residents may still be trapped inside collapsed homes. Locals reported hearing a thunderous noise as mud, boulders and water swept through the settlement, reducing buildings to debris within minutes.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of more heavy rainfall in Chamoli over the coming days, further heightening the risk of landslides.

This fresh disaster comes just four days after a cloudburst wreaked havoc in Dehradun’s Sahastradhara, killing at least 13 people, washing away roads, shops, and homes, besides destroying two major bridges. The deluge had also inundated the Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple after the Tamsa River overflowed, submerging the Shivling and leaving the temple walls cracked and unstable.

In view of the worsening weather conditions, the Uttarakhand government has issued a red alert for Dehradun, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, and Chamoli districts, cautioning residents of extremely heavy rainfall, possible infrastructure collapse, and landslides till September 20.