Cloudburst Hits Uttarakhand's Chamoli District, Several Feared Missing

Many people are feared missing after a cloudburst hit Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Friday night, causing debris to sweep through homes and buildings. 

According to officials, the Tharali market area and the Tharali tehsil complex were heavily covered by debris. Many residential areas, including the official residence of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), shops, and vehicles, were also buried under it.

In the nearby Sagwara village, a girl was reported to be buried under the debris inside a building, causing panic in the area.

Locals have rushed out of their homes and rescue operations are underway, officials said.

Some shops in the Chepdon market area were also damaged.

The Tharali-Gwaldam road and the Tharali-Sagwara road have been shut due to the debris and heavy rainfall, affecting traffic movement.

A video shows people walking through their homes, which are covered in debris and knee-deep water.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: There is a possibility of a lot of damage due to the cloud burst in Tharali tehsil of Chamoli last night. A lot of debris has come due to the cloudburst, due to which many houses, including the SDM residence, have been completely damaged: Chamoli DM, Sandeep… pic.twitter.com/3kGNYRSMdG

— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025

"There is a possibility of a lot of damage due to the cloud burst in Tharali tehsil of Chamoli last night. A lot of debris has come due to the cloudburst, due to which many houses, including the SDM residence, have been completely damaged," Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said.

Officials informed that teams of NDRF and SDRF have been engaged in rescue operations since last night.

"NDRF and SDRF teams moved to the spot last night. The road has been blocked due to the floods and people are facing a lot of problems. The administration is engaged in relief work. Apart from this, we have set up relief camps," Additional District Magistrate Vivek Prakash told news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand | Chamoli ADM, Vivek Prakash says, "... There has been a lot of damage due to the flash floods. A 20-year-old woman named Kavita has been buried, and a man named Joshi is missing. NDRF and SDRF teams moved to the spot last night. The road has been blocked due… https://t.co/f212FDvglN pic.twitter.com/plsid7ELCk

— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025

The Indian Army is also helping in rescue operations.

"Indian Army has activated HADR columns, medical teams and Search & Rescue Dogs from Rudraprayag and Joshimath. Army detachment at Tharali already at ground zero, extending immediate rescue & relief. Additional troops & resources from #UBArea_IA are being mobilised and joint operations are currently underway with civil administration. #IndianArmy stands strong in the face of disaster, committed to saving lives & restoring normalcy," the Central Command of the Indian Army said.

🚨 Swift Army Response to Tharali Landslide 🚨

At approx 0040 hrs on 23 Aug 25, a mudslide struck Tharali, 25 kms from Rudraprayag in #Uttarakhand. #IndianArmy has activated HADR columns, medical teams and Search & Rescue Dogs from Rudraprayag and Joshimath. Army detachment at… pic.twitter.com/2ScnG8EOvc

— SuryaCommand_IA (@suryacommand) August 23, 2025

Many locals have been evacuated from their homes and taken to safer locations, the Chamoli police said.

"Due to heavy rainfall last night in the Tharali police station area, public life was affected. Considering the severity of the situation, the Tharali police showed promptness during the night, alerting local people and evacuating them from their homes to safer locations."

🚨 थराली क्षेत्र से आपदा अपडेट 🚨

बीती रात्रि थाना थराली क्षेत्र में हुई अतिवृष्टि से जनजीवन प्रभावित हुआ। स्थिति की गंभीरता को देखते हुए थाना थराली पुलिस ने रात्रि में ही मुस्तैदी दिखाते हुए स्थानीय लोगो को सतर्क किया तथा घरों से निकालकर सुरक्षित स्थानों पर पहुँचाया। pic.twitter.com/5MaiBgTc5D

— Chamoli Police Uttarakhand (@chamolipolice) August 23, 2025

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he is closely monitoring the situation.

"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. I pray to God for everyone's safety," he wrote in a post on X.

जनपद चमोली के थराली क्षेत्र में देर रात बादल फटने की दुःखद सूचना प्राप्त हुई। जिला प्रशासन, एसडीआरएफ, पुलिस मौके पर पहुंचकर राहत और बचाव कार्यों में जुटे हुए हैं।

इस सम्बन्ध में निरंतर स्थानीय प्रशासन के संपर्क में हूँ और स्वयं स्थिति की गहन निगरानी कर रहा हूं। ईश्वर से सभी के…

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) August 23, 2025

Uttarakhand has been witnessing heavy, continuous rain with cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides this season. Earlier this month, a cloudburst led to flash floods in Uttarakhand's Harsil and Dharali, leaving many missing and significant infrastructure damaged.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'orange' alert for very heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand till August 25.

"Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Dehradun on August 23, in Dehradun, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh on August 24, and in Garhwal Hills and Nainital, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh on August 25," the weather department said.