Cloudbursts struck the Bareth Dungar Tok area in Buskedar tehsil, Rudraprayag district, and the Deval area of Chamoli district, trapping several families due to debris flow.
Taking cognisance of the situation, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said in a post on X, “A distressing report has been received that due to cloudbursts in the Bareth Dungar Tok area under the Buskedar tehsil of Rudraprayag district and in the Deval area of Chamoli district, some families have been trapped due to debris flow.”
He said that the relief and rescue operations are underway on a “war footing” by the local administration.
Dhami informed that he has been in constant contact with officials and has issued necessary instructions to the Disaster Secretary and District Magistrates to ensure the effective conduct of rescue operations.
Dhami said, “I am in constant contact with officials and have issued necessary instructions to the Disaster Secretary and District Magistrates to ensure the effective conduct of rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safe well-being of all.”
According to Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tewari, “Two people are missing and many animals have been buried in the cloudburst incident in the Dewal area of the Chamoli district. Due to heavy rain in the entire district, the roads are closed. Relief teams have reached the spot.”
Additionally, the water level of the Alaknanda River in Srinagar has reached near the danger mark. The river is in spate due to continuous rainfall, raising concerns over potential flooding.
Tehri Garhwal District Disaster Officer Brijesh Bhatt said that a cloudburst occurred in Genwali, Bhilangana on Thursday night. He informed that as per initial reports, there has been no loss of life. However, there is a possibility of damage to public and private property. A revenue team has been dispatched to assess the situation.
Bhatt said, “Along with this, health, electricity, water institute, water corporation, PWD, Wapcos, and the veterinary team have left for response.”
After a yellow alert for rain was issued by the Indian Meteorological Department on Monday, the Chamoli Police sent people residing near the sliding zones to relief camps located in Kulsari, where the administration had made arrangements for both food and other essential facilities.
Uttarakhand Police said that people residing near the sliding zones had been appealed to move to safer places.
“Under the yellow alert, the police have announced and are appealing to the people residing near the sliding zone to move to a safe place. Affected people are being sent to the relief camp located in Kulsari, where the administration has made arrangements for food and essential facilities,” police said in a post on X.
(ANI)