By Krishna Dua 
Uttarakhand Cloudburst: 5 Dead, 11 Missing in Landslides
Uttarakhand, a state known for its majestic mountains and sacred pilgrimage sites, is grappling with yet another natural disaster. A series of intense cloudbursts have triggered deadly landslides, causing widespread devastation and bringing life to a standstill in several districts. As per the latest reports, at least five people have been confirmed dead, and 11 others are missing, with rescue teams working against the clock to locate them. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for multiple regions, warning that the worst may not be over.
The calamity struck in the early hours of Friday, with cloudbursts reported in the districts of Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and Bageshwar. The sudden and ferocious downpour led to flash floods and landslides, which have not only claimed lives but also swept away homes, buried farmlands, and blocked major highways, including the crucial Badrinath and Kedarnath routes. The sheer scale of the destruction has prompted a multi-agency response, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police leading the charge in search and rescue operations.
The Epicenter of the Disaster: Rudraprayag and Chamoli
The districts of Rudraprayag and Chamoli have borne the brunt of nature’s fury. In Rudraprayag, a cloudburst in the Badeth Dungar Tok area of Basukedaar tehsil triggered a deluge of mud and debris. A woman, Sarita Devi, was tragically killed in a house collapse, while eight people—including locals and four laborers—are reported missing from the Chenagad area. The force of the flash flood was so powerful that it washed away a car in Syur village, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
In Chamoli district, the village of Mopata was struck by a landslide that buried a house and a cowshed, killing a couple, Tara Singh and his wife Kamla Devi. Two others were injured in the same incident. The landslides have also been responsible for blocking sections of the Badrinath National Highway at Nandprayag, Kameda, and Gulabkoti, causing major traffic disruptions for pilgrims and tourists.
The continuous rainfall has caused rivers like the Alaknanda and Mandakini to swell dangerously, flowing near the danger mark and raising fears of further flooding in low-lying areas. The situation is being closely monitored by local authorities to prevent more casualties.
The Bageshwar Tragedy and Other Affected Areas
The devastation has also spread to Bageshwar district, where a cloudburst in the Pausari gram panchayat in Kapkot tehsil destroyed nearly half a dozen houses. Two women, Basanti Devi and Bachuli Devi, were killed, and three others from their family are missing. The sole eyewitness, Basanti’s 14-year-old son, Pawan, miraculously survived and recounted the horrific events.
Other districts have also been impacted. In Tehri Garhwal, a cloudburst in Genwali Bhilangana has caused damage to property and private infrastructure. While no casualties have been reported there yet, the situation remains precarious. Uttarkashi, which was still recovering from a flash flood that occurred earlier in the month, has also seen its major highways blocked due to fresh landslides.
Rescue Operations on War Footing
The Uttarakhand government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has activated its full disaster response mechanism. CM Dhami has been in constant contact with district officials, issuing directives to expedite rescue and relief operations. He has assured the public that the administration will work on a “war footing” to help those affected.
The SDRF and NDRF teams have been deployed to the worst-hit areas. In Rudraprayag, rescue teams have successfully relocated over 70 people who were stranded in villages like Taljaman and Kund. The teams are using ropes and other equipment to navigate the treacherous terrain and reach stranded individuals. Efforts are also underway to clear the debris from blocked roads and restore connectivity to the cut-off villages. The district administrations have set up relief camps and community kitchens to provide food and shelter to the displaced families.
IMD Red Alert and Future Outlook
The immediate future looks grim, as the IMD has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, and Dehradun for the next 24 hours. An orange alert has also been issued for other districts, including Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh, signaling that more rainfall is likely. This forecast is a major cause for concern, as continued rain could trigger more landslides and flash floods, complicating ongoing rescue operations.
Authorities have advised residents, tourists, and pilgrims to exercise extreme caution and to avoid unnecessary travel. The rising water levels in rivers are being closely monitored by the Central Water Commission, which has also issued a warning for moderate flooding in ten districts across the state. The situation is a stark reminder of the fragile ecology of the Himalayan region, which is becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
Conclusion
The tragedy in Uttarakhand is a sobering testament to the immense power of nature. While the rescue and relief efforts are ongoing, the long-term solution lies in a more sustainable approach to development in the state’s ecologically sensitive regions. This disaster highlights the urgent need for robust early warning systems, stricter environmental regulations, and a comprehensive disaster management strategy. The affected communities, despite their loss, are showing incredible resilience, and the government and rescue teams are doing everything they can to help them rebuild. As the rain continues to lash the state, the hope for those who are missing remains, but the state is bracing for what may still be a long and difficult period of recovery