By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 29 Aug: Heavy rainfall and landslides have caused widespread devastation across Uttarakhand, with cloudbursts reported in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Tehri Garhwal districts, and, also, Bageshwar. The disaster has claimed at least eight lives, left several missing and caused immense damage to houses, vehicles, and infrastructure.
In Chamoli district, a landslide in Mopata village under Dewal block buried a couple under debris. Their bodies were recovered after several hours of rescue efforts, while two others injured in the incident were admitted to the Dewal Primary Health Centre. Heavy downpour has led to closure of highways at several locations in Chamoli, crippling normal life, disrupting electricity supply and leaving villagers grappling with drinking water shortages, which are being managed through tanker supply. Around 20 cattle were also buried in debris. Rescue teams have been dispatched to Mopata and surrounding areas, where operations continue despite challenging conditions.
In Rudraprayag district, a cloudburst in Basukedar tehsil triggered large-scale destruction. Many houses were damaged, and vehicles were swept away in debris. One woman was killed, and eight persons, including four Nepali workers, are reported missing. The Alaknanda River at Srinagar has risen dangerously, with water reaching up to the Badrinath highway. In the Bareth Dungar Tok area of Rudraprayag, landslides left one woman dead and eight persons missing. District Magistrate Prateek Jain is monitoring the situation from the disaster control room and has deployed senior officers to coordinate rescue and relief operations, with NDRF, SDRF, police and revenue teams engaged on a war footing.
Bageshwar district has also been severely hit by incessant rainfall. In Pausari village under Kapkot tehsil, six houses were buried under heavy debris, leading to the death of two women, identified as Basanti Devi and Bachuli Devi, while three others including Ramesh Chandra Joshi, Girish and Puran Joshi are missing. Another person, Pawan, sustained injuries and is under treatment. Reports also indicate that five persons lost their lives in a building collapse due to landslides in Pausari village. Rescue operations are being carried out by SDRF, NDRF, DDRF and revenue teams.
In Tehri Garhwal district, cloudburst in Budhakedar area caused severe damage, with the Bal Ganga and Dharam Ganga rivers in spate. Several stretches of roads including the Gangotri and Yamunotri highways in Uttarkashi and the Haldwani-Bhimtal highway near Ranibagh have been blocked due to landslides, leaving travellers stranded. In Dehradun’s Khatta Pani area, the body of a seven-year-old boy was found in the Suswa River. In Haridwar, heavy downpour has paralysed the city, leading to waterlogging in many localities. At Kanjabag village in Khatima, lightning struck, killing a woman who had gone to fetch water in the morning.
Reports from Chenagad reveal heavy damage with fears that four locals and four Nepalis may have been buried under debris. Rescue efforts were delayed due to road blockages at several points but are now underway. In Taljaman, Bareth and Chenagad, rescue teams have shifted disaster-hit families to safer shelters, including a government primary school designated as a relief centre. District authorities are ensuring arrangements for food, shelter and fodder for livestock. Medical teams have also been deployed to provide health services at affected sites for at least three days.
The situation remains grim as continuous heavy rainfall has left many roads blocked across the state. Landslides have obstructed highways in Nandprayag, Kameda, Bhanerpani, Paglanala, Gulakoti and Gwaldam, while the BRO is engaged in clearance work. In Tharali, repeated landslides have heightened fears among residents who recently witnessed severe damage from cloudbursts. In Rudraprayag’s Lwara-Guptkashi motor road, a bridge has been washed away, cutting off thousands of villagers who remain confined to their homes. This road is an alternative route for Kedarnath Yatra, making the situation more critical.
Meanwhile, the Alaknanda River has surged dangerously at Sirobagad near the Badrinath highway, while the Mandakini River is also flowing at an alarming level. Police teams under the leadership of the Agastyamuni station in-charge are issuing repeated announcements urging people to stay alert.
Rescue and relief operations are continuing round the clock in Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Bageshwar and other affected districts. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is in constant touch with district magistrates of disaster-hit districts and has directed senior officials at the state secretariat to expedite relief and rehabilitation measures. Schools in five districts have been closed as a precautionary step due to adverse weather conditions.
The state administration, aided by NDRF, SDRF and local authorities, remains on high alert as incessant rainfall, cloudbursts and landslides continue to wreak havoc across Uttarakhand.
