Uttarakhand Floods: Home Minister Reviews Disaster Response on Ground
At least four people have been confirmed dead and around 50 others are reported missing after sudden flash floods wreaked havoc in parts of Uttarakhand over the past 48 hours. The deluge, triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall, has affected several remote villages in the Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts, leaving a trail of destruction and panic in its wake.
The state disaster response teams, along with personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are engaged in intensified rescue operations, even as continuous rain and treacherous terrain hamper efforts. According to state officials, the death toll may rise as several people are feared to have been swept away by swollen rivers and landslides.
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Flash Floods Triggered by Cloudburst
Initial reports indicate that a cloudburst in the early hours of Sunday led to an abrupt rise in water levels in tributaries of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. Villages along the riverbanks were the worst hit, with many homes, roads, and bridges washed away in a matter of minutes. Eyewitnesses described the scene as “apocalyptic,” with water, debris, and mud engulfing entire stretches of land.
Rescue teams are currently focusing on the worst-affected areas, including Raini and Lambagad in Chamoli district and parts of Ukhimath in Rudraprayag. Helicopters have been deployed for aerial surveys and supply drops, while drone-assisted searches are being used to locate missing individuals.
Amit Shah Reviews Situation, Assures Support
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has taken stock of the situation and assured full support from the central government. In a statement issued this morning, Shah said, “We are in constant touch with the Uttarakhand government. Rescue operations are being conducted on war footing, and every necessary assistance is being provided to ensure the safety of residents.”
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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who visited the State Emergency Operation Centre in Dehradun, expressed concern over the rising toll and ordered the deployment of additional rescue units to remote pockets. “Our focus is on saving lives. We are making all efforts to ensure stranded people are reached in time,” Dhami said.
Communication Disruptions and Infrastructure Damage
The flash floods have severely disrupted communication lines and road connectivity in multiple areas. The Badrinath National Highway remains blocked due to heavy debris and landslides, while electricity supply in several villages has been snapped. Mobile networks have also collapsed in higher altitudes, complicating coordination efforts.
Authorities have shifted hundreds of people to temporary relief camps set up in nearby schools and community halls. Food packets, clean drinking water, and medical aid are being rushed to affected regions. However, continuous rainfall and blocked access routes are slowing down the supply chains.
Warning of More Rain Ahead
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand over the next 48 hours. Authorities have advised tourists and pilgrims to avoid travel to the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, which fall in the vulnerable zones. Over 1,500 pilgrims stranded en route to Kedarnath and Badrinath have been safely evacuated, officials confirmed.
Environmental experts have once again raised concerns over the fragile ecology of the Himalayan state. Rapid urbanization, unregulated construction, and deforestation have made the region increasingly prone to natural disasters. The latest tragedy adds to a series of similar incidents over the last few years, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable development and disaster preparedness.
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Ground Realities: Families in Distress
Amid the official response, families continue their desperate wait for news of their loved ones. In the village of Silli, a woman whose husband and son have been missing since the floods broke down while speaking to reporters. “They went to the fields early morning and never came back. No one has found them,” she said, clutching a faded photograph.
As the search continues, Uttarakhand reels once again under the weight of nature’s fury — a sobering reminder of the risks that loom large over the region every monsoon.
