Late on Friday night, a sudden cloudburst struck Chamoli’s Tharali tehsil, sweeping down debris that flattened multiple homes, markets, and even the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s residence, authorities confirmed Saturday. The deluge forced a fast, chaotic response as rescue teams rushed in. Emergency services are racing against time to locate the individual reported missing amid the rubble.

The impact also damaged vehicles and blocked key access routes including the Tharali–Gwaldam and Tharali–Sagwara roads, complicating rescue logistics.

Locals watched in despair as vital neighborhood infrastructure crumbled in moments, underlining how monsoon-season extremes strike Gotham-like ferocity in mountainous terrain.

Now, with SDRF and local teams actively engaged, the focus is on clearing debris, restoring connectivity, and ensuring no one remains trapped. This disaster spotlights the region’s acute vulnerability to abrupt natural emergencies and underscores urgent need for resilient infrastructure and swift disaster-preparedness frameworks.