Cloudbursts Trigger Flash Floods in Uttarakhand; Many Feared Trapped
Cloudbursts in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts have triggered flash floods and debris flows, trapping several families. The incidents occurred in the Bareth Dungar Tok area of Rudraprayag and the Deval area of Chamoli. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that relief and rescue operations are underway on a war footing. Incessant rainfall has raised river levels to dangerous heights and caused widespread disruption, prompting authorities to close schools and urge residents near riverbanks to move to safer locations.
Unpacked:
Uttarakhand is highly vulnerable due to its steep mountain slopes, narrow river valleys, and high rainfall during the monsoon. These geographic factors, combined with climate change and increased moisture in the atmosphere, make cloudbursts and flash floods more frequent and severe in the region.
Uttarakhand experiences frequent natural disasters, especially during monsoon season. In the last eight years alone, about 3,554 people have died, thousands injured, and property damage has reached billions from approximately 18,464 disaster events, including cloudbursts, floods, and landslides.
Authorities have implemented immediate measures like rescue operations, closing schools, and relocating residents. Long-term strategies focus on improving early warning systems, strengthening infrastructure, and adopting robust disaster management plans to reduce future risks and safeguard lives.
Recent cloudburst events are part of a rising trend, with increasing frequency and severity since 2010. Past disasters like the 2013 Kedarnath floods were more devastating, but recent incidents highlight the ongoing vulnerability and need for stronger mitigation efforts.