A powerful cloudburst triggered a flash flood in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, sweeping away a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) worker and damaging infrastructure in the remote Niti Valley. The worker remained missing on Tuesday as rescue teams continued their search for a second consecutive day. The cloudburst caused the Tamak stream to swell rapidly, sending a torrent through the area and leaving behind large quantities of mud, stones and debris. Authorities remained on high alert as rain continued across the mountainous district. The flash flood occurred on Monday evening following torrential rainfall in the region.

The sudden surge in the Tamak stream washed away a bridge and carried debris across surrounding areas, disrupting movement and leaving vehicles trapped in thick sludge. When the water level receded on Tuesday morning, the extent of the damage became clearer, with large deposits of rubble covering parts of the affected area. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of remote Himalayan settlements and infrastructure to sudden weather events during periods of heavy rain. Search operations for the missing BRO worker resumed around 6.30 am on Tuesday, with personnel from Chamoli Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joining the operation.

Rescue teams combed sections of the stream and surrounding debris in an effort to locate the worker. The reduced water flow on Tuesday allowed rescuers to access some areas more easily, but the operation remained difficult because of unstable terrain and the extensive accumulation of mud and rubble. SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi said local residents had also reached the affected area and were assisting rescue personnel. The joint teams were examining likely locations around the stream and digging through debris accumulated after the flash flood.

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Residents were helping search nearby stretches for any indication of the missing worker, providing additional support to emergency teams working in the difficult terrain. The mountainous landscape posed a major challenge to the search operation. Thick layers of debris, unstable ground and the possibility of further rain meant that rescuers had to proceed carefully while examining the affected stretches. Rain continued in Chamoli on Tuesday, although its intensity had eased compared with the previous day. Authorities remained watchful because additional rainfall could increase the risk of renewed flooding, landslides and further disruption in vulnerable areas.

The cloudburst has prompted authorities to maintain heightened vigilance across Chamoli as weather conditions remain unsettled. Officials have warned that persistent rainfall in the hills could cause rivers and streams to swell and trigger landslides. Emergency teams are therefore continuing to monitor vulnerable locations while rescue operations remain focused on finding the missing BRO worker. The latest incident adds to concerns over the risks faced by people and infrastructure in Uttarakhand’s mountainous areas during periods of intense rainfall.

For residents of the remote Niti Valley, the immediate priority remains supporting the search and dealing with the damage caused by the flash flood. Vehicles remained stuck in sludge after the water receded, while debris had accumulated across the affected area. Rescue personnel and local residents continued working together despite the difficult conditions. Authorities are expected to maintain the search operation and monitor the weather closely as rainfall continues across Chamoli.

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