Chamoli Cloudburst: Woman Buried, Man Missing

Chamoli district in Uttarakhand witnessed yet another tragedy on Friday night when a sudden cloudburst struck Tharali town, unleashing torrential rain, debris, and flash floods that wreaked havoc across the region. The incident, which occurred shortly after midnight, left residents in shock as water gushed into homes, roads turned into muddy streams, and government buildings were buried under rubble.

According to the District Disaster Management Office, at least two people are feared dead or missing. A young woman was reportedly buried under debris, while another man remains untraceable following the deluge.

How the Cloudburst Unfolded in Tharali

The disaster struck around 1 am, catching residents off guard in the dead of night. Heavy rainfall intensified suddenly, leading to the overflow of the Tunri Gadhera stream, which carried debris through residential colonies, marketplaces, and official premises.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s (SDM) official residence and the Tharali Tehsil complex were inundated with muck and water. Several vehicles were buried under landslide rubble, and the town’s main marketplace, Tharali Bazaar, along with surrounding areas such as Kedarbgarh, Radibgarh, Sagwara, and Chepdón, suffered massive damage.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic, with families rushing out of their homes barefoot and screaming as gushing water and falling debris threatened to sweep them away.

The District Disaster Control Room confirmed: “Water and debris entered multiple houses, the SDM residence, and the Tehsil premises. The situation turned critical within minutes as heavy rainfall continued through the night.”

Widespread Destruction Across Chamoli

Residential damage: Around 30–40 houses in Tharali and another 30–40 in Chepdon were buried under muck and debris.
Government buildings: The Tehsil office was filled with silt, while the Nagar Panchayat President’s residence had debris piled up nearly 10–12 feet high.
Vehicles: Many cars and motorcycles were destroyed or swept away in the flash floods.
Roads: The Karnaprayag–Gwaldam National Highway was blocked near Ming Gadhera due to heavy debris. Other crucial routes like Tharali–Sagwara and Dungri motor roads were also cut off, hampering rescue operations.

Chamoli District Magistrate Dr. Sandeep Tiwari said the impact was severe, with destruction spread across a one-kilometer radius of the Tehsil headquarters.

Search and Rescue Operations

Rescue efforts were launched immediately despite poor weather and blocked roads. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, and even the Indian Army were deployed to the site.

Around 50 Army personnel from Rudraprayag, equipped with medical teams, drones, and search-and-rescue (SAR) dogs, joined the operation.
Relief camps were established for displaced families.
Authorities urged residents in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations as heavy rain continued to pose risks of further landslides.

Chamoli ADM Vivek Prakash confirmed that a 20-year-old woman named Kavita was buried under rubble, while a man named Joshi remained missing. He added:

“The road leading to the affected area has been blocked, creating challenges in relief work. However, SDRF and NDRF teams are on the ground, and the District Magistrate is monitoring operations on-site.”

Government and Administration Response

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed concern and extended prayers for the safety of affected families. Taking to social media, he posted:

“Late last night, a tragic report of a cloudburst was received from Tharali in Chamoli district. The district administration, SDRF, and police are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am in constant contact with the local administration and monitoring the situation closely.”

In precautionary measures, the district administration declared a holiday for all schools up to Class 12 and Anganwadi centres in the Tharali Tehsil region.

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

Meteorological Warnings and Monsoon Threats

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Uttarakhand, predicting extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas over the next few days. The IMD warned of very heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday, further increasing the risk of flash floods, landslides, and road blockages in the state.

This incident comes just weeks after a cloudburst in Uttarkashi that killed one person and left 65 people missing, underscoring the Himalayan region’s heightened vulnerability during the monsoon season.

Key Developments from the Chamoli Cloudburst

Casualties – One young woman buried under debris, one man missing.
Damage to infrastructure – Debris entered the Tehsil office, SDM residence, and nearly 80 homes.
Markets flooded – Tharali Bazaar and surrounding shops destroyed.
Highways blocked – Karnaprayag–Gwaldam NH and several local roads cut off.
Army assistance – Indian Army deployed with medical teams, drones, and rescue dogs.
Relief camps set up – For displaced families and stranded residents.
Schools closed – Educational institutions across three development blocks shut.
Senior officials on site – DM Sandeep Tiwari and ADM Vivek Prakash personally monitoring.
CM Dhami’s response – Assured citizens of government’s full support and prayed for safety.
IMD warning – Orange alert with prediction of heavy to very heavy rain over the weekend.

The Chamoli cloudburst of August 2025 serves as a stark reminder of the devastating force of nature in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. With villages cut off, homes destroyed, and lives at risk, the state’s disaster management machinery is racing against time to provide relief and prevent further tragedies.

As Uttarakhand braces for more rainfall in the coming days, authorities and residents remain on high alert. For now, the focus remains on search, rescue, and rehabilitation of those affected by the sudden midnight disaster.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies