Nature has once again unleashed devastation in Uttarakhand. In various districts of the state, heavy rainfall and cloudbursts early Friday morning claimed the lives of 5 people, while 3 others went missing. Landslides buried around 30–40 families under heaps of debris, damaging houses. Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri, and Bageshwar were the worst-hit regions in Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) stated that intense overnight rainfall in Pausari Gram Panchayat, Kapkot area of Bageshwar district, destroyed approximately six houses. Two people lost their lives, and three others went missing. So far, two bodies have been recovered while search efforts continue for the three missing individuals.
Couple Dies as House Buried in Chamoli Landslide
Abhishek Tripathi, Chief Development Officer, stated that a landslide in Mopata village of Chamoli district buried a house and a cowshed, killing a couple and injuring another person. Officials further reported that persistent rainfall and landslides in Rudraprayag district’s Basukedar area caused extensive damage across more than six villages. The USDMA also confirmed that around 30–40 families in Taljaman village, Rudraprayag, were trapped under debris and floodwaters.
House Collapse Claims Woman’s Life in Rudraprayag
Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said a woman died when a house collapsed in Jakholi, Rudraprayag district. Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde reported that four locals and an equal number of Nepali nationals were trapped under debris in the Chenagad area. He added that rescue teams were facing difficulties reaching the spot as roads were damaged in 7–8 locations. A house fell in the Syur village in the same location, and the debris dragged away a car that had been left on the side of the road. Water also filled the gorges on both sides of Badeith, Baggdhar, and Taljamani villages.
CM Dhami Speaks with District Officials
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami posted on X that he had received tragic reports of families trapped under landslide debris following cloudbursts in Badeith Doongar of Basukedar Tehsil in Rudraprayag district and the Dewal area of Chamoli district. He said that the local government was conducting rescue and relief efforts on a warlike basis. He remained in constant touch with officials and had spoken to the Disaster Management Secretary and district magistrates, instructing them to ensure effective rescue operations. He also prayed for everyone’s safety at Baba Kedarnath’s shrine. Through video conferencing, CM Dhami directed district officials to expedite relief and rescue operations in affected areas.
Heavy Damage in the Budha Kedar Region as Well
NDRF, SDRF, DDRF, and Revenue Police units have been sent to the districts impacted by the disaster. Continuous rainfall and cloudbursts also caused extensive damage in the Budha Kedar region of Tehri district, where cattle sheds and temples were buried under debris. The Alaknanda River, its tributaries, and the Mandakini River have all seen their water levels rise as a result of ongoing rainfall. Police have been warning residents along riverbanks through public announcements. Landslides at multiple locations in Chamoli–Nandprayag, Kameda, Banerapani, Paglanala, Jilasu, Gulabkoti, and Chatwapipal have blocked the Badrinath National Highway.
Badrinath Highway Closed at Sirobagad
In Rudraprayag district, the Badrinath National Highway is shut at Sirobagad, while the Kedarnath Highway is obstructed at four separate locations between Banswara (Syalsaur) and Kund–Chopta. Officials confirmed that crews are actively working to reopen the routes. Pilgrims have been advised to travel only after checking road conditions and to follow timely updates issued by police and administration.
Red Alert for Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall in These Districts
A red alert for strong to extremely heavy rainfall has been issued by the Meteorological Department for the next 24 hours in the districts of Bageshwar, Chamoli, Dehradun, and Rudraprayag.Champawat, Haridwar, Pithoragarh, Udham Singh Nagar, and Uttarkashi have all been placed under an amber warning.This monsoon, Uttarakhand has been severely impacted by natural disasters. A total of 69 people went missing, including 9 military personnel, 25 Nepali nationals, 13 from Bihar, 6 from Uttar Pradesh, 8 from Dharali itself, 5 from nearby areas of Uttarkashi, 2 from Tehri, and 1 resident of Rajasthan.
