Chamoli, Aug 23: A devastating cloudburst struck the Tharali tehsil of Chamoli district late Friday night, unleashing torrents of debris and water that buried homes, vehicles, and public infrastructure under thick layers of mud.

The sudden deluge caused widespread panic and destruction, prompting emergency rescue operations across the region.

According to reports, the cloudburst led to flash floods that swept through residential areas, markets, and even the official residence of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate.

A young girl is feared trapped beneath the rubble in Sagwara village, while two people have been reported missing.

Visuals from the scene show knee-deep water inside homes and streets transformed into muddy ponds. Connectivity has been severely disrupted, with key roads like Tharali–Gwaldam and Tharali–Sagwara blocked due to landslides and debris.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Uttarakhand, warning of intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning across multiple districts including Chamoli, Dehradun, Tehri, and Rudraprayag.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep concern and confirmed that rescue teams from the SDRF, NDRF, and local administration are actively working to evacuate residents and clear blocked roads. Relief camps have been set up, and all schools and anganwadi centres in Tharali have been ordered shut for the day.

In the wake of the disaster, the Chamoli district administration ordered all schools and Anganwadi centres in Tharali tehsil to remain closed on Saturday, August 23, as a precautionary measure.