Torrential Cloudburst Devastates Uttarakhand Village, Leaving Five Feared Lost in Debris

In the rugged hills of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, a sudden cloudburst unleashed chaos late Wednesday night, sweeping away homes and leaving five residents missing amid a torrent of mud and rock. The deluge struck Nanda Nagar with ferocious intensity, demolishing six structures in its path and burying families under layers of rubble.

Rescue teams sprang into action, pulling two survivors from the wreckage as dawn broke. However, adverse weather has complicated efforts, with ongoing search operations slowed by relentless downpours. The India Meteorological Department has warned of additional heavy rainfall in the region, heightening the urgency of the response. A medical unit, accompanied by three ambulances, is en route to provide immediate aid to the beleaguered area.

Local accounts paint a grim picture: several villagers believe others remain trapped in the ruins of their homes, cut off by the debris flow. “The water came without warning, carrying boulders the size of cars,” one resident told reporters, echoing the terror that gripped the community.

This tragedy unfolds just days after a similar catastrophe in the state capital of Dehradun, where a cloudburst claimed at least 13 lives, eroded roads, and shattered homes and businesses. Two vital bridges gave way there, severing key links to neighboring districts.

In response, Uttarakhand’s government has activated a red alert for Dehradun, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar districts, signaling the threat of extreme downpours, potential landslides, and crumbling infrastructure until September 20. Statewide, the toll mounts: 15 individuals are still unaccounted for, while over 900 people languish in isolated pockets, awaiting relief.