Heavy rains and cloudbursts battered Uttarakhand early Friday, unleashing landslides that damaged houses, trapped villagers, and blocked highways across Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Tehri districts.
In Chamoli’s Mopata village, a house and cowshed were buried under debris, trapping a couple identified as Tara Singh and his wife. Another couple, Vikram Singh and his wife, were injured, District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed.
Rudraprayag’s Basukedaar area witnessed widespread destruction in several villages. In Dungar and Jaula-Bhadeth, residents went missing after being swept away by landslides and floods. A house in Syur village was damaged and a car washed away, while flooded ravines posed threats to villages including Badeth, Bagaddhar and Taljamani.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he was monitoring the situation closely. “Relief and rescue work is being carried out on a war footing. I am in constant touch with officials and have issued instructions for effective rescue operations,” he posted on X, praying for the safety of residents.
Tehri’s Budha Kedar area also reported heavy destruction, with livestock sheds and temples buried under debris. In Genwali village, landslides damaged homes while rivers Balganga, Dharmganga and Bhilangana swelled dangerously, spreading panic among locals. The irrigation department’s security wall, built after last year’s disaster, was washed away in the floods, villagers said.
The Alaknanda, Mandakini and their tributaries continue to rise, forcing police to issue alerts for those living near riverbanks. Agricultural land, including potato fields, was destroyed under rubble.
Meanwhile, major highways were blocked, stranding pilgrims and travelers. The Badrinath national highway was closed at several points in Chamoli, including Nandprayag, Pagalnala, and Gulabkoti, while Rudraprayag’s Sirobgadh stretch was cut off. The Kedarnath highway was blocked at multiple locations between Syalsaur and Chopta. Authorities have urged pilgrims to travel only after checking official advisories.
Uttarakhand has been repeatedly battered by natural disasters this monsoon. Earlier on August 5, a flash flood in the Kheer Ganga river wiped out large parts of Dharali near Gangotri, killing and sweeping away dozens, including Army personnel and migrant workers. At least 69 people went missing in that tragedy.
