Flash floods, landslides wreak havoc in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli

Heavy rainfall over the past two days has triggered flash floods and landslides across Uttarakhand, severely disrupting life in several hilly districts. Chamoli has been hit hardest, with blocked roads, buried vehicles, and warnings issued for travellers.

A cloudburst near Nandprayag caused flooding and landslides, leading to road blockages and property damage. The Badrinath National Highway was among the key routes shut due to falling debris. While there have been no reports of casualties from the cloudburst, police and disaster response teams remain on high alert.

Rescue teams from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are working round the clock to clear roads and restore connectivity. In Tharali, a mountain stream near Ramlila Maidan overflowed, sending large amounts of debris into residential and transport areas. Two vehicles were buried, and the highway was temporarily closed before BRO teams managed to reopen it.

District Disaster Management Officer Nandkishore Joshi said, “Tharali has suffered considerable damage. Several areas remain at risk as debris continues to slide from the hillsides.”

In a separate incident in Udham Singh Nagar, lightning killed a 40-year-old man. Arjun Singh, a resident of Kaundakheda village, went missing Thursday morning. His body was later found near a water tank in Sunkhari Kalan. Villagers discovered the charred remains after a community-wide search effort.

Other districts are also reporting damage. Rudraprayag saw rising water levels in seasonal rivers and streams, causing flooding in the Kedarnath Valley. The Kedarnath Highway was shut after multiple landslides, cutting off access for pilgrims and locals.

With more rain forecasted, authorities have urged people to stay indoors, avoid travel, and follow official advisories. Disaster response units are monitoring the situation closely and coordinating rescue and relief operations.

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