Uttarakhand Reels Under Cloudburst Fury: Rudraprayag, Chamoli Face Devastation, Heavy Rain Likely Ahead

The picturesque yet volatile landscapes of Uttarakhand have once again been battered by nature’s fury. Severe cloudbursts struck Rudraprayag and Chamoli, leaving trails of destruction. Initial reports suggest several families are feared buried under debris, while many others have been injured.

Rudraprayag & Chamoli: Epicenter of the Crisis

• In Rudraprayag, six people have been reported missing.
• Water levels at the Alaknanda and Mandakini confluence are rising dangerously, threatening further flooding.
• Kedarnath valley has also been hit, where Lawara village lost a crucial bridge on the motorable road to the swollen rivers.
• Chenagad region remains critical, facing the severe impact of the deluge.

Why This Happened: Weather Systems Behind the Disaster

Meteorologists link this crisis to a persistent Western Disturbance, marked as a cyclonic circulation over North Pakistan and adjoining Punjab at up to 5.8 km above sea level. Added to this, humid winds from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea have fueled extreme moisture over the Himalayan terrain — a potent recipe for cloudbursts and extreme rainfall.

Impact Across Districts

Tehri

• Budha Kedar and Genwali areas saw widespread damage.
• Homes, religious structures, and farmlands were swept away by landslides.
• Potato crops destroyed, livestock lost.
• Rivers like Bhilangna, Bal Ganga, and Dharma Ganga are in spate.
• In Nailchami, landslides wiped out bridges and irrigation systems.

Uttarkashi

• Sudden surge in Papadgad, Bhatwari has endangered a motor bridge on Gangotri highway.
• Piles of trees and rocks have blocked traffic.
• Both Gangotri and Yamunotri highways face multiple blockages.

Bageshwar

• Kapkot recorded over 100 mm of rainfall.
• Rivers overflowed, flooding villages.
• A house in Pausari village was damaged.
• Schools and Anganwadi centers closed due to safety concerns.

Pithoragarh

• Continuous heavy rain has forced closure of schools and Anganwadi centers across the district.

Pauri

• In Srinagar, the Alaknanda River reached 534.80 meters, dangerously close to the 536-meter danger mark.
• Water entered the Dhari Devi temple premises, triggering an official alert.

Nainital

• Landslides near Rani Bagh bridge blocked the Haldwani–Bhimtal road, disrupting traffic.

Safety Measures Taken

• Schools in Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Haridwar, and Pithoragarh have been ordered shut.
• Authorities remain on high alert due to the continuous rainfall threat.

Forecast: No Immediate Respite

Current meteorological assessments indicate no relief from heavy rainfall for the next two to three days. Residents and authorities are urged to remain on high alert and take all necessary precautions to minimize risks.

Image Courtesy: PTI