Daijiworld Media Network- Dehradun

Dehradun, Aug 29: In a fresh spell of natural calamity, cloudbursts struck Uttarakhand’s Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts late Wednesday night, leaving a trail of destruction, with eight people reported missing and several others injured.

In Chamoli district’s Dewal Mopata area, locals Tara Singh and his wife went missing, while Vikram Singh and his wife sustained injuries. The intensity of the downpour caused their cowshed to collapse, burying nearly 15 to 20 cattle.

In Rudraprayag district, six people were reported missing as the water levels of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers rose alarmingly at their confluence. In Kedarnath valley’s Lawara village, a motor road bridge was washed away in the strong current, cutting off connectivity. The situation turned grim in Chenagad, where overflowing river water entered residential areas, forcing the administration to evacuate families. The revered Hanuman temple in Rudraprayag was also submerged.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the tragedy and assured immediate relief measures. Taking to X, he posted, “In Rudraprayag’s Basukedar tehsil under Badeth Dungar Tok and Chamoli’s Dewal area, due to cloudburst and debris flow, distressing news has emerged of some families being trapped.”

He further added that relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing, with local administration, disaster teams, and district officials on the ground. “I am in constant touch with officials and have directed them to ensure effective rescue operations,” he stated.