Uttarakhand Cloudburst Updates: Red Alert Issued, Schools Shut After Flash Floods Claim 4
A catastrophic cloudburst in Dharali village of Uttarkashi district triggered flash floods and landslides, resulting in the death of at least four people and leaving several others missing.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for nine districts across Uttarakhand, forecasting very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms between 6 PM and 9 PM on Tuesday.
Red Alert for Multiple Districts
The districts placed under red alert include Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Udham Singh Nagar, and Uttarkashi.
The IMD has advised residents, particularly those in low-lying areas and near rivers, to remain cautious and move to safer locations if necessary. Critical zones highlighted include Janaki Chatti, Pulam Sumda, Purola, Barahat Range, Chinyalisaur, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Karnaprayag, Lohaghat, Didihat, Munsyari, Rudrapur, Khatima, and Jaspur.
Schools Closed in Uttarkashi
In response to the worsening weather and operational difficulties in the rescue mission, the Uttarkashi district administration has announced the closure of all government and private schools, including aanganwadis, on Wednesday.
Authorities are using loudspeakers to issue evacuation advisories in vulnerable villages, warning residents to stay away from rivers and landslide-prone regions.
The cloudburst over the Kheer Gad region unleashed a powerful torrent of water and debris that tore through Dharali and its surrounding areas. Dharali, an important stop on the way to Gangotri, has suffered major destruction, with several houses, homestays, restaurants, and hotels either damaged or completely washed away.
Rescue Operations in Progress
Relief and rescue efforts are ongoing, with personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) deployed on the ground. However, teams are facing challenges in reaching some areas due to blocked roads and heavy silt accumulation.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the state government is keeping a close watch on the developments and is in constant coordination with all agencies involved in the rescue and relief operations.
