Uttarakhand Cloudburst: The Cloudburst in Uttarakhand has hit the two districts of Chamoli and Rudraprayag with tremendous wind and rain, causing debris flows all over. On the road to Dewal (Mopata) in Chamoli, two people are missing—Tara Singh and his wife— Vikram Singh and his wife are injured. The collapse of the cowshed has buried about 15 to 20 animals. At the same time, in Bareth Dungar Tok (Basukedar) of Rudraprayag, while six persons are missing, there are reports of families trapped in the houses that have disappeared under the mud and water.
Rivers Rising, Bridges and Roads Disrupted
The water in the two rivers, Alaknanda and Mandakini, has increased to a terrifying level in Rudraprayag. The rivers have overflowed onto the roads, and the bridge near Lawara village in the Kedarnath valley has been carried away by the water. The roads in Chengada and other nearby areas are also being affected severely.
Authorities Mobilise Rescue Efforts
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in his statement, assured that relief and rescue are going on “on a war footing,” and officials connected with the help teams are in continuous contact. Rudraprayag DM Prateek Jain reported that although four houses were washed away in Basukedar, the residents have been evacuated to safe places. The schools of the affected districts, including Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Haridwar, and Pithoragarh, have also been closed as a preventive measure.
Safety Alerts and Evacuations Underway
In both Chamoli and Rudraprayag, the local authorities have given the order that those residing on the riverbanks should immediately leave their homes. State disaster management teams, along with SDRF and NDRF personnel, are leading evacuation and search efforts amid heavy rain.
Uttarakhand Cloudburst:Why Is Nature Playing Havoc?
Cloudbursts in Uttarakhand are the result of a mixture of natural and environmental factors. Very heavy and sudden monsoon rains in a very short time result in huge water releases, which in turn cause fragile Himalayan slopes to be flooded with water. Water carrying debris moves very fast downhill, which consequently triggers landslides. Climate change has not only extended rainfall but also accelerated glacier melting, which in turn has made rivers in the region grow even beyond their limits.
