Dehradun: Heavy rains have once again unleashed devastation in Uttarakhand, triggering cloudbursts and landslides across Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Tehri, and Bageshwar districts. At least four people have been killed, while three remain missing, as rescue teams battle difficult conditions to save those feared trapped under debris. Officials estimate that between 30 and 40 families may still be stranded.
According to the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, overnight rains destroyed several houses in the Kapkot area of Bageshwar district, where two deaths have been confirmed. Another woman lost her life after her house collapsed in Rudraprayag’s Jakholi. Ravines in multiple villages, including Badeth and Bagaddhar, have been flooded, cutting off local residents and causing large-scale destruction to homes and farmland.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed on X that families remain stranded in Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts. He said that NDRF, SDRF, DDRF, and revenue police teams are carrying out relief operations “on a war footing,” while he remains in direct touch with district officials. Over 70 villagers have been evacuated so far, even as fields and roads remain buried under rubble.
The scale of the disaster has forced the closure of major routes, including the Badrinath national highway at Sirobgadh and parts of the Kedarnath highway, disrupting pilgrim movement. The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in four districts, warning of further danger in the coming 24 hours, while several other regions remain under an orange alert.
As rescue efforts intensify, the state remains on edge, with officials urging pilgrims and locals to travel only after verifying road conditions with authorities. For Uttarakhand, still vulnerable to recurring monsoon disasters, the latest tragedy is yet another reminder of the fragile balance between its geography, climate, and human survival.
