Several residential buildings, shops and vehicles were damaged by debris following heavy rain and cloudburst in the Karnprayag area of Chamoli district late on Saturday night. Damage following heavy rain has been reported from Tharali, Deval and Karnprayag with Tharali reportedly suffering more damage. The district administration reached the affected areas to assess the situation and provide necessary assistance to the affected people with no human fatalities being reported so far.
The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) cites an e-mail from the Chamoli district magistrate which states that on Sunday at about 7 AM, heavy rain in Karnprayag had caused some damage in the area. Though no human fatality was reported, one cow and one goat died while, between 25 to 30 buildings had to be vacated due to debris entering the constructions.
The administration has facilitated secure places for the affected people. Food has also been facilitated for those whose homes have been completely damaged with all domestic items buried by debris.
Tehsil officials and police personnel had reached the affected area. The Karnprayag-Pokhri motor road got blocked at Panaidhar and Khal Sarmola with Public Works Department working to clear the debris.
The Tehsildar is assessing the damage suffered with a detailed report expected soon. The DM has further informed that at about 4 AM heavy rain in Tharali had caused damage- damaging one tin-shed building used for operating a workshop. About half a dozen vehicles were also damaged by the debris here with efforts underway to extract vehicles from the debris till the time of this report being filed.
The Karnprayag-Gwaldam motor road had also been blocked by debris at Malya Paud with PWD Tharali working to clear the road. The Tharali-Deval motor road is also blocked due to debris at Radibagad, Kedarbagad and Tharali Bazaar. In Gairsain Tehsil, heavy rain at Patthargata village has damaged a bridge and water supply lines. Though there has been no loss of human or animal life at Patthargata, the area below is vulnerable to landslide. A government team has reached the site to assess the damage.
local sources state that heavy rain at Dyudidanda and the resulting debris had damaged about 50 residential buildings in the ITI ward. The local public representatives have demanded that the affected be relocated to safety.