Relentless rainfall wreaked havoc in Tharali, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, leaving a trail of destruction that claimed the life of 20-year-old Kavita Bisht and left a 78-year-old man missing. The deluge, which struck overnight on Saturday, caused a rain drain to overflow, flooding homes and markets with up to two feet of debris in areas like Chepdon Bazaar and Kotdeep Bazaar.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the disaster-stricken region on Sunday to assess the situation, directing officials to provide comprehensive assistance to affected residents. The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) reported that 150-200 people have been evacuated to safety, with relief camps arranged for food and shelter.
Rescue operations are underway with over 150 personnel from the district administration, police, NDRF, SDRF, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police working tirelessly. Nine individuals were injured, six of whom were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh due to their critical condition. The disaster damaged 41 houses, including the sub-divisional magistrate’s residence, and buried 11 vehicles under debris.
The Karnaprayag-Tharali-Dewal road remains blocked at 12-15 locations within a 10-km radius of Tharali, with excavators deployed to clear the obstructions. The SEOC confirmed the recovery of Kavita Bisht’s body from a destroyed house in Sangwada village, while search efforts continue for the missing man in nearby Chepad.
Chief Minister Dhami’s hands-on inspection underscored the state’s commitment to supporting the affected communities. The administration is prioritizing the restoration of normalcy, with ongoing efforts to clear debris and reopen roads. The disaster highlights the vulnerability of Uttarakhand’s hilly regions to extreme weather, prompting calls for enhanced disaster preparedness.
As rescue teams work around the clock, the focus remains on locating the missing individual and ensuring the safety and rehabilitation of those displaced by the catastrophic flooding.
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