Chamoli cloudburst: At least 2 missing, houses and cars severely damaged

Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said the extent of damage is likely to be significant.

A cloudburst in Tharali tehsil of Chamoli district late Friday night triggered heavy debris flow, damaging houses, markets. Preliminary reports suggest that at least two residents are missing.

Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said the extent of damage is likely to be significant. “A lot of debris has come due to the cloudburst, which has completely damaged several houses, including the SDM’s residence,” he said.

"Late last night, a tragic report of a cloudburst was received in the Tharali area of Chamoli district. The district administration, SDRF, and police have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. In this regard, I am in constant contact with the local administration and am personally closely monitoring the situation. I pray to God for everyone's safety," tweeted Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Meanwhile, the Uttarkashi administration is working round-the-clock to open the temporary lake formed in Syanachatti due to debris blocking the Yamuna river. The effort is being led by district magistrate Prashant Arya, who has assured residents that the lake will be drained soon and all necessary safety measures will be taken.

The Yamuna Valley in Uttarakhand is on high alert after a large artificial lake formed near Syanachatti, raising fears of widespread devastation. Heavy debris and water from the Garhgad stream choked the Yamuna River, causing a sharp rise in water levels that submerged the lower floors of homes and hotels.

Water level in the artificial lake that has formed in Syanachatti of Uttarkashi district has decreased by about five to six feet, PTI reported quoting officials on Friday.

The officials said that the blockage in the river took place on Thursday evening, after boulders fell from the hills into town, obstructing the flow of the Yamuna river. Efforts are being made to release the blocked water, officials added.

State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Public Works Department, Irrigation Department and other agencies are present at the spot.

According to the operations center, water is continuously draining out from the lake and till now its water level has decreased by five-six feet. However, debris is still continuously flowing from the rain drain.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the disaster management secretary to take necessary steps for the drainage of water from the lake. Dhami has also directed to ensure the availability of food, LPG, medicines, fuel and other essential commodities for the affected people in the area.