Floods, debris flow hit India’s Chamoli, leaving at least 2 missing & villages cut off

By Aiswarya Raj, Aug 23: At least two people were reported missing after sudden floods and debris flows struck Tharali in Chamoli district, Uttarakhanda late Friday night, officials said. Several vehicles were buried, shops damaged, and homes inundated as rising waters swept through villages and markets shortly after midnight.

According to the district administration, a 21-year-old woman and an older man are reportedly trapped under debris in Tharali’s Sagwara village. At around 12:48 am on Saturday, 1-2 feet of debris entered the village’s Chepadon market and Kotdeep market, and buried a houses because of the rising water level in a stream.

According to the Revenue Sub-Inspector, in Sagwara village, debris entered a house, trapping one girl inside. In Chepadon market, many shops have been damaged due to the debris. Efforts to rescue her are underway, the district emergency operation centre officials said.

The Tehsil administration, police, civil police, DDRF, and fire service personnel are present at the site for search, rescue, and relief operations. NDRF and SDRF teams, too, have departed for the location.

The Border Roads Organisation from Gauchar has begun work to clear the road from Ming Gadhera. The Tharali–Gwaldam road is blocked at Ming Gadhera, cutting off the area. The Tharali–Sagwara road is also blocked.

According to Additional District Magistrate Vivek Prakash, arrangements are also being made to shift the affected people to safer locations.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “Late last night, a tragic report of a cloudburst was received in the Tharali area of Chamoli district. The district administration, SDRF, and police have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. In this regard, I am in constant contact with the local administration and am personally closely monitoring the situation…”

The Indian Army has also sent personnel to help out in the search and rescue operations. According to a statement, a medical team has been mobilised from Joshimath, and search & rescue dogs with surveillance drones are being moved to the site to assist in locating survivors and providing relief.

The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning across parts of Uttarakhand on Saturday, with Chamoli among the districts at risk. Extremely intense downpours were forecast in Dehradun, Tehri, Bageshwar and Nainital as well. Authorities have issued an orange alert for several regions for three days next week. (Indian Express)