Mahadangal: Rescue Efforts Underway as Cloudburst Ravages Uttarakhand; Experts Warn on Unplanned Development

A devastating cloudburst struck Dharali village near Gangotri Dham, resulting in massive destruction. According to District Magistrate Prashant Arya, at least four people have been confirmed dead and over 50 are feared missing. Several homes were swept away within seconds, with visuals showing people desperately trying to escape the flood of debris and water. The disaster has prompted a large-scale rescue operation involving the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and ITBP. However, continuous heavy rainfall, fading daylight, and difficult terrain have severely hampered rescue efforts. Speaking to ABP News, Anand Sharma, a weather expert, highlighted the natural vulnerability of steep Himalayan slopes during intense rainfall, which leads to massive landslides and debris flow. He also emphasized the danger of increasing unregulated construction in ecologically sensitive zones, especially near riverbanks and floodplains. Disaster management expert and former NDRF official P.K. Mishra drew parallels to the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy, warning that development without proper planning is putting thousands of lives at risk. He confirmed that advanced equipment, including tracker drones and sensors capable of detecting trapped individuals up to 15 feet underground, has reached the site, and the rescue operation is expected to continue through the night. The incident has once again raised serious concerns about unchecked tourism-driven development in Uttarakhand. Experts urge strict regulations on construction in vulnerable zones to prevent future tragedies.