Uttarakhand witnessed another natural disaster on Friday as cloudbursts struck Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts, leaving several families trapped under debris. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed the incidents, stating that relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing by the local administration. Necessary instructions have been issued to the Disaster Secretary and district officials to ensure swift evacuation and assistance.

According to Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari, two people have gone missing, and several animals were buried in debris following the cloudburst in the Dewal area. Continuous heavy rainfall has disrupted connectivity, forcing road closures across the district. Despite difficult terrain, relief teams have reached the affected sites to provide immediate aid.

In a post on X, CM Dhami said, “A distressing report has been received that due to cloudbursts in the Bareth Dungar Tok area under Buskedar tehsil in Rudraprayag district and in the Deval area of Chamoli district, some families have been trapped due to debris flow.” He added that he remains in constant contact with officials to monitor operations.

This disaster comes shortly after a previous cloudburst in Chamoli’s Toonri Gadera of Tharali tehsil, which left one person dead, another missing, and multiple injured. Debris swept into Tharali market, damaging houses, vehicles, and shops, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s residence.

CM Dhami had earlier visited Tharali to assess the situation and oversee relief efforts. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local administration continue to work round-the-clock, evacuating stranded residents, providing relief material, and restoring essential services.

Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, heavy rains triggered a massive landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra’s Reasi district, causing several casualties.

The landslide occurred near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkuwari, midway along the trek to the shrine. The incessant downpour has also led to flooding in the Jammu region, with the overflowing Tawi River washing away parts of the road near the fourth Tawi bridge, worsening the crisis.