UTTARKASHI – A destructive cloudburst hit Uttarakhand’s Yamuna Valley on Saturday, causing significant damage to the Naugaon area. The intense downpour and subsequent flash flood resulted in mudslides that buried homes in debris, flooded low-lying areas, and disrupted daily life.
District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed that a residential house was buried and the muddy waters of a swollen stream flowed into several homes. Despite the extensive damage, no casualties have been reported, largely because many residents had already evacuated their homes in anticipation of the danger posed by the heavy rains.
The sudden weather event triggered chaos in the Naugaon market, with witnesses reporting that the swollen Devalsari stream swept away vehicles and caused a major mudslide. The Delhi-Yamunotri highway was also temporarily closed, leading to significant traffic congestion.
Rescue operations were launched immediately, with State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, led by Barkot Inspector Rajesh Joshi, arriving swiftly at the scene. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed his active involvement with district officials, directing them to conduct rescue and relief operations “on a war-footing” to ensure the safety and immediate support of all affected residents.
Cloudbursts, which are a sudden and intense rainfall event over a small area, are a recurring hazard in the mountainous state of Uttarakhand. They are often associated with thunderstorms and the rapid uplift of warm, moisture-filled air over the steep slopes of the Himalayas. Such events are known to cause destructive flash floods and landslides, making disaster preparedness and rapid response critical for the region.