Uttarakhand Cloudburst: Tharali in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, was left devastated late on Friday night after a cloudburst swept through the region, leaving one dead, several injured and others missing. Entire sections of the Chepdun market were flattened, houses buried and vehicles crushed under mounds of debris.

Rescue teams from the NDRF and ITBP rushed to the spot soon after being alerted. Officials said their priority was to clear debris, search for the missing and move survivors to safety. “The damage is widespread. Our teams are cutting through collapsed shops and broken structures to locate those still trapped,” one rescuer said, describing the situation as “chaotic but under control.”

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Tharali Cloudburst: Eyewitness Accounts Of Survival

Survivors narrated the terrifying moments when water and debris tore through the market. A rescued shopkeeper said, “All our shops were destroyed in the incident. Four of my family members were injured and taken to AIIMS in Rishikesh. My uncle, a retired army officer, is still missing under the rubble. I urge the authorities to bring him out.”

Another survivor added that around 30 to 35 people were stuck on a bridge as the waters surged. “One of my relatives died and we still haven’t found his body,” he said.

Six of the injured were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for urgent treatment. In total, 11 people sustained injuries, officials confirmed.

Tharali Cloudburst: Market Reduced To Rubble

Residents said Chepdun market, which was full of activity only hours before, was now unrecognisable. Shops were buried under debris, goods destroyed and roads blocked by mud and stones. “The scene in the morning was horrifying. The market we saw yesterday does not exist anymore,” a villager said.

Tharali Block Pramukh Praveen Purohit recalled receiving a call about the disaster while he was four kilometres away. “I rushed immediately, but by the time I reached, everything had collapsed. The destruction is massive,” he said.

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Tharali Cloudburst: Rescue Efforts And Administration’s Response

Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tewari confirmed that one woman lost her life in the incident. He said large parts of Tharali market, Kotdeep and nearby residential areas had been buried. “Our teams are on the ground and we are providing all necessary support. The rescue operation will continue until all areas are cleared,” he said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the situation and directed authorities to extend maximum assistance to victims. Schools in nearby areas were closed and the administration has urged residents to stay in safe locations.

The state has been battered by continuous rainfall in recent days, triggering landslides and flash floods across multiple districts and severely impacting the Char Dham Yatra.