Relief and rescue operations are underway on a war footing following heavy rains in Tharali tehsil of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, which swept debris into the local market and surrounding areas on Friday night.
Acting on the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, multiple agencies, including the district administration, local police, SDRF, NDRF, Indian Army, SSB, and ITBP, have been deployed for rescue and relief work. The CM himself is closely monitoring the situation, receiving continuous updates from the Chief Secretary, Disaster Management Secretary, and the Chamoli District Magistrate.
According to Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, the heavy rains caused debris to flow from Toonri Gadera, severely impacting Tharali’s market areas like Chepdo Bazaar and Kotdweep Bazaar. Many houses, including the SDM’s residence, were damaged, and vehicles were buried under the debris. District administration and police teams swiftly reached the site alongside SDRF and NDRF personnel. The Karnaprayag-Gwaldam road sustained damage at various points. Efforts to clear and restore it are ongoing.
The body of a young girl was recovered from the rubble. Another person remains missing in Chepdo Bazaar, with rescue teams conducting ongoing searches.
Dhami has expressed deep grief over the loss and appealed for public patience, assuring government support and promising safety and rehabilitation arrangements for those affected, including temporary housing, food, and medical aid.
Relief efforts are being coordinated from the State Emergency Operations Centre from which there is constant communication with teams on the field.
Roads near Harmani have been cleared to enable access. Due to ongoing heavy rains, schools in the Tharali, Dewal, and Narayanbagh blocks have been closed as a precaution.
The Health Department, led by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Abhishek Gupta, has deployed teams including medical officers, nurses, pharmacists, ambulances, and life-saving medicines at Tharali and neighbouring centers like Karnaprayag and Dewal to provide emergency care.
Over 150 officers and personnel from various departments such as SDM offices, police, Army, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, SSB, Fire Department, Public Works, Electricity, Jal Sansthan, and Health are involved in the rescue missions.
Preliminary assessments indicate that 10-12 houses have been badly damaged, with 20-25 more partially affected and covered in debris.
Electrical supply has been suspended pending repairs due to damage to poles and wires. Five JCB machines are deploying clearance efforts, though helicopter support has been hindered by adverse weather conditions.
The administration has accommodated more than 150 affected persons in relief centres set up in government facilities like Polytechnic College Kulsari and Shaheed Bhavani Dutt Inter College in Chepdo. Provisions for food, water, medical aid, and shelter are being provided under the chief minister’s directions.
The disaster was triggered by a cloudburst around 1:30 am on Friday night, which caused rapid flooding and deposition of mud and debris in multiple localities, including the Tehsil complex, Kotdeep, Radibag, Chepdon, and Sagwara. In Sagwara village, the young girl who lost her life was reported buried under the debris.
Major roads, including the Tharali-Gwaldam and Tharali-Sagwara routes, were blocked, complicating relief movement. The Border Roads Organisation is actively clearing these paths to restore vehicular access.
The Indian Army has mobilised humanitarian assistance and disaster relief teams, including search and rescue dogs, to support civilian authorities on the ground. Multiple relief columns from Rudraprayag and Joshimath are engaged in joint operations with the district administration.
Authorities have appealed to residents to stay in secure locations and maintain communication with officials in case of emergencies as further rain and weather disturbances pose ongoing risks.