A cloudburst in the Nandanagar Ghat area of Chamoli district late on Wednesday night triggered a debris flow that destroyed multiple homes and left at least 14 people missing. The incident occurred around midnight on September 17 following heavy rainfall in the region.
According to officials, the cloudburst caused massive runoff carrying mud, rocks, and boulders, which swept through several villages, flattening houses and damaging critical infrastructure. Local residents reported sudden loud noises as the debris flow advanced rapidly, leaving little time for evacuation.
Rescue operations were launched immediately with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police reaching the site despite difficult terrain and continuous rainfall. Heavy machinery, sniffer dogs, and drone surveillance have been deployed to assist in locating survivors and retrieving those trapped under debris. Helicopters from the Indian Air Force have been kept on standby to provide aerial support and airlift the injured if required.
Chamoli District Magistrate confirmed that search and rescue operations are underway on a war footing. Temporary shelters have been set up for displaced families, while medical teams are attending to the injured. Relief materials including food, drinking water, and blankets are being distributed to the affected population.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the situation and directed officials to ensure immediate relief and rehabilitation measures. He has assured that the state government will extend full support to the victims’ families and coordinate closely with central agencies for effective response.
Disaster management experts have expressed concern over the frequency of cloudbursts in Uttarakhand’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem. They highlighted that unplanned construction, deforestation, and changing climate patterns have increased the vulnerability of hill districts to extreme weather events. Chamoli district, in particular, has witnessed several natural disasters in recent years, including flash floods and landslides.
Authorities have urged residents in nearby villages to remain cautious as weather forecasts indicate the possibility of more rainfall in the coming days. Teams are monitoring vulnerable zones to prevent further loss of life and property.
As the rescue mission continues, families of the missing wait anxiously for updates. Officials have stated that the top priority remains finding survivors and providing immediate relief to those affected by the disaster.
