(Feature Image: A ‘cloudburst’ incident damaging crops, farmlands & threatening Majju Gawad tok of Syun village in Dasholi block, Chamoli on August 06, 2023. Source: Raftaar news)
Since 2018, SANDRP has been documenting the increasing ‘cloudburst’ related disasters taking place in the Himalayan states. This report details the occurrence of such incidents in Uttarakhand during South West monsoon 2023. Our previous report on the subject for Uttarakhand can be seen here: 2022; 2021; May 2021; 2020; 2019 & 2018.
JUNE 2023
24 June; Chamoli: With arrival of south west monsoon rains in Uttarakhand, a ‘‘cloudburst’’ incident was reported in Painka village under Joshimath Nagar Palika in Chamoli district. The village is located 3 km uphill Badrinath highway enroute Kak Bhushandi track.
The incident occurred around 04:00 am. Panicked by sudden downpour, the villagers left their homes and stayed in fields till the rain stopped. The flashflood washed away a foot bridge, walking track, disconnecting the village from Joshimath town. The village jungle track, common and farm lands suffered damages.
About 50 small check dams (soil conservation structures) and parts of protection walls built by forest department along the local gadera were washed away. As per a revenue official the collapse of foot bridge had caused a loss of Rs. 30 lakh. Fortunately, the flashflood debris did not invade the habitations, otherwise the village could have suffered huge destruction. Sources: Hindustan Hindi[i], Hindustan Hindi[ii], Dainik Jagran[iii], ABP News[iv].
JULY 2023
06 July; Pithoragarh: The flashflood in Thopa nullah following excessive rainfall in Chal village in Darma valley under Dharchula tehsil of Pithoragrah in the afternoon of July 06, 2023 washed away a ropeway trolley built across Dhauli river thus making the Chal village inaccessible. While several people were trapped in the village, about 25 villagers who had gone to collect the Kida Jadi (caterpillar fungus) herb, had to risk their lives to reach the village.
The iron bridge on Dhauli river was washed away in 2013 floods. In absence of a permanent bridge, villagers were forced to access the village by building temporary wooden bridge twice in a year. The wooden bridge built this year had already been damaged. Source: Out Look India[v], ETV Bharat[vi], Asli Bharat[vii], Dainik Jagran[viii]. The Chal village is located about 4km downstream Baling, the site of proposed 165 Mw hydro project.
10 July; Chamoli: The Devgarh gadera (Jumma nullah) in Niti valley witnessed a flashflood spell in July 10, 2023 evening. The stream carried huge amounts of debris and boulders. The locals said there was no rain in the area and a ‘cloudburst’ or detaching of snow-clad rocks in upper reaches could be possible reason behind the flashflood. Due to the incident a huge boulder was stuck under a motor bridge near Jumma village on Joshimath-Mallari highway.
The gadera again swelled dangerously in the morning hours of July 11, 2023 and this time the bridge was washed away disconnecting about 15 villages from road services. The bridge located 50 km away from Joshimath was important for defense purposes and connected villages along China border to the state. The incident caused sudden rise in Dhouliganga river and alert was sounded for Raini villagers and labours working at Tapovan and Helang near Tapovan-Vishnugad hydro project. Source: Dainik Jagran[ix], Amar Ujala[x], News18.
15 July; Bageshwar: The Ungiya village under Sorag panchayat of Kapkot tehsil was impacted by an intense rainfall spell triggering a landslide uphill around 09:00 pm on July 15, 2023. The incident threatened several houses downhill and created panic among the villagers. Fortunately, the muck flow diverted its course near the human habitation, otherwise several homes could have suffered damages. The landslide made several houses vulnerable.
The area is part of Pindar valley and always face mobile network and power supply problems hence the administration could not be timely informed about the incident. The villagers and report mentioned the event akin to a cloudburst situation but the administration termed it an excessive rainfall incident. Source: Amar Ujala[xi], Public App[xii].
18 July; Bageshwar: The Kumtoli gadera of Badiyakot village in Pindar valley of Kapkot tehsil witnessed a flashflood spell in early morning hours of July 18, 2023 washing away a foot bridge and causing landslide along its course. The deluge also damaged the protection wall of a government building. The Kapkot tehsil itself faced excessive rainfall events during July 17-18, 2023 resulting in significant damages to public and private properties. Source: Khabar Uttarakhand[xiii], Public App[xiv], Hindustan[xv].
18 July; Pithoragarh: The Bailey bridge connecting Gunji to Kalapani near India-China border was buried under flashflood muck from Nacheti nullah following a ‘cloudburst’ incident in the night hours of July 18, 2023. The Nacheti nullah originates from Nag hills. The 100 feet long and about 3 tons heavy bridge was built by Border Roads Organization. It was located about 1 km downstream Kalapani temple towards Gunji. The flashflood also washed away about 100 meter of the road disrupting vehicular movement. Source: Amar Ujala[xvi], Times of India[xvii], The Northern Gazette[xviii].
20 July; Pauri: Parts of Rauli and Bagwadi villages under Thalisain block suffered damages due to a ‘cloudburst’ induced flashfloods occurring around 01:30 am on July 20, 2023 uphill Rauli village. About a dozen cattle, a cowshed, 8 foot bridges were washed away in the deluge. The incident damaged a deserted house, about 2 hectares of farming land and drinking water supply lines of the Bagwadi village. The protection wall of Thailisain- Peethsain motor bridge was also damaged disconnecting about 80 villages from the Tehsil. Source: Amar Ujala[xix], Dainik Jagran[xx], Parvat Vani[xxi].
22 July; Pithoragrah: A ‘cloudburst’ induced flashflood in early morning on July 22, 2023 washed away part of Bangapani-Jarajibli road apart from causing damages to farmlands in Jarajibli along the stream. Several homes and 2 small bridges in Deval, Mallagair and Jarajibli villages suffered damages due to excessive rainfall causing river bank erosion and landslide leading to disruption of power supply and road connectivity. Source: Dainik Jagran[xxii]; Amar Ujaja[xxiii]
22 July; Uttarkashi: The Mori, Purola, Badkot and Dunda blocks of the Uttarkashi district witnessed excessive rainfall spells in the early morning of July 22, 2023 triggering flashflood and landslide related destruction of roads, houses, power and water supply lines, foot bridges, vehicles, farming land at several locations in these blocks.
The Chhada khad, Kamal river and Maal gadera in Purola Nagar Panchayat swelled dangerously due to a ‘cloudburst’ incident around 02:30 am in Akru Kurda forest area. Several buildings, irrigational channels, drinking water supply lines were damaged and vehicles were washed away in resultant flashflood along the Chhada khad. The deluge also impacted apple orchards, rice crop and farming land along these water bodies apart from washing away 2 foot bridges.
The flashflood in Banal khad washed away a foot bridge. Several houses, tourist facilities, vehicles and Yamunotri highway suffered damages by the debris and landslide at Nandgaon, Chhatanga, Rajtar and Gangnani in Badkot. A boarding girl school campus was invaded by the flashflood in Gangnani trapping several students in the building. The flashflood in Dhanpati river washed away a crematorium in Dhountri village under Dunda tehsil. The muck also entered into several houses in the village following a landslip above the village due to heavy rainfall. Source: Dainik Jagran[xxiv], Amar Ujala[xxv], ETV Bharat[xxvi], Rajka Live[xxvii], Dainik Jagran.
AUGUST 2023
01 August; Nainital: Amigarhi and Daun Parewa villages in Okhaldhunga patti in Kotabagh block were severely affected by a ‘cloudburst’ induced flashflood around 03:00 am on August 1, 2023. The muck and debris invaded about 50 homes and cowsheds. Crops on large part of farming land were damaged and local roads were blocked at several places. The villagers demanded administration to build flood protection measures along the Daun nullah. Source: Dainik Jagran[xxviii], Amar Ujala[xxix] ; ABP News[xxx].
04 August; Rudraprayag: The reason of landslide incident killing about 19 people at Gaurikund around 11:30 pm on August 04, 2023 was attributed to heavy rainfall and ‘cloudburst’ like situation but there is no adequate information about ‘cloudburst’ incident. Source: Amar Ujala[xxxi]
05 August; Chamoli: Majju Lga Bameru tok under Syun village of Dasholi block was severely affected by a ‘cloudburst’ incident in late night hours of August 05, 2023. A stream of muck and debris from uphill area damaged about 4 hectare of agricultural land and damaged few cowsheds. A wooden bridge on Lundau gadera was also washed away. Fearing for their safety, the villagers left the village and returned only after the rain stopped in the morning of Aug 6, 2023. Source: Pahad Raftar[xxxii], Gadh Samvedna[xxxiii]
06 August; Chamoli: The Naula and Gwad toks in Chinpa valley of Joshimath block suffered significant damages after a ‘cloudburst’ incident in Naula tok around 01:00 am on August 06, 2023. A cowshed and a toilet were completely buried under the muck while several homes in the villages suffered cracks following the incident. As per village Pradhan, the gushing water currents damaged village pathways, drinking water line, electric polls, large part of farming land and village road at several points. Source: Pahad Raftar[xxxiv], Punjab Kesari[xxxv].
06 August; Tehri: 2 children died and 1 person was injured in a house collapse incident in Maroda village under Saklana patti in Dhanolti tehsil in early morning hours of August 06, 2023. The house was damaged by muck following excessive rainfall in village area. Some report attributed a ‘cloudburst’ incident reason behind the damages however there is no adequate information available about it. Source: Mirror Uttarakhand[xxxvi], Amar Ujala[xxxvii]
08 August; Pauri: A ‘cloudburst’ incident damaged 4 cowsheds resulting in killing of 8 cattle in Kandi village of Yamkeshwar block in night hours of August 08, 2023. The incident also impacted 8 houses and disrupted the power supply of the village. Several farm lands were filled with debris and road to Damrada was also damaged. Source: Hindustan[xxxviii]
Several homes in Devrana village under Dadamandal of Yamkeshwar block developed cracks after excessive rainfall during August 09-10, 2023. The village had suffered damages during June 2013 disaster and the villagers have been demanding rehabilitation since then. Source: Amar Ujala[xxxix]
08 August; Pauri: The Kotdwar area witnessed excessive rainfall in the intervening night of August 08-09, 2023. The flashflood in seasonal nullah near Aamsour and in Tut gadera (Pagal nullah) near 5 Mill damaged the NH 15 significantly. Overall, the NH was blocked at a dozen places between Kotdwar and Duggda & hundreds of vehicles were stranded along the stretch.
The flashflood washed away a utility vehicle and resulted in severe destruction of human habitations in downstream Kotdwar areas. Flood protection measures were washed away along Sukharo river in the deluge. The flood spell in the river had already affected about 50 homes on July 13, 2023. There was excessive rainfall related destruction in adjoining Yamkeshwar block also. Source: Amar Ujala[xl], Sarthak Pahal[xli], SM Patwal Vlogs[xlii],
In Kotdwar a bridge was damaged and about 200 homes in Gabar Camp and Kodiya were filled with muck and debris due to flashflood spell in Paniyala gadera and Khoh river. The deluge in Malan river damaged the causeway trapping about 12 workers working on it. The causeway was being built after the collapse of the bridge on river during July 13, 2023 flood spell. Source: Amar Ujala[xliii], Down To Earth[xliv].
8 Aug; Nainital: The Kalsiya & Raskiya nullahs swelled dangerously due to excessive rains in Kathgodam in late evening of Aug 8, 2023. As per locals the flashflood in Kalsiya nullah was caused by a ‘cloudburst’ incident. About 6 homes along kalsiya nullah collapsed and several others were filled with flood waters. The flashflood also damaged the wall of guard room at Gaula barrage. Seeing the deluge several residents left their homes to safer places. The administration also vacated the 250 homes to avoid any untoward incident. Source: Amar Ujala[xlv], Dainik Jagran.[xlvi]
8 Aug; Dehradun: Boundary of a house and a bike were damaged by a muck flood incident in Bhood Papdiyan village under Vikas Nagar tehsil in late evening of Aug 8, 2023. Farmland, crops & local roads were also impacted by the incident. Source: Pahad News[xlvii], Dainik Jagran[xlviii].
11 August; Rudraprayag: A ‘cloudburst’ incident in early morning of August 11, 2023 made several homes, cowsheds in Byunkhi village in Kalimath valley under Ukhimath tehsil vulnerable to further damages. The village pathways, local roads and irrigated farmlands were damaged at several places by the flashfloods and continuous rains. Source: ETV Bharat[xlix]
13 August; Pauri: Some houses in Nobadi village under Dwarikhal block developed cracks after a ‘cloudburst’ incident in late night of August 13, 2023. The village is populated by 15 families. The villagers demanded rehabilitation of entire village and blamed the administration for seeking bribe in lieu of relief package. Some of the affected families left the village and settled in rented houses in Devikhet market. Source: ETV Bharat[l].
13 August; Pauri: 2 homes, village pathways and drinking water supply lines were damaged after a ‘cloudburst’ incident in late night of August 13, 2023 in Kothar village under Yamkeshwar block. Source: Sarthak Pahal[li]
13 August; Rudraprayag: A Nepali origin person was killed and a shopkeeper went missing when their make shift shops were hit by flashflood following a ‘cloudburst’ incident near Lincholi enroute Kedarnath shrine walking track in late night of Aug 13, 2023. The deceased was inside his tent-shop at Chhani camp with 3 family members who survived the deluge. 6 other persons trapped in tents were rescued. The debris and boulders also invaded several shops and tents damaging the goods in huge amount apart from washing away a large part of Kedarnath walking track. Source: ETV Bharat[lii], Badlta Garhwal[liii]
13 August; Chamoli: Several parts of the district including Tharali, Pipalkoti, Nandanagar[liv] witnessed intense rainfall spells in late night of Aug 13, 2023 significantly affecting the 6km long stretch between Pakhi-Pipalkoti-Mayapur. In midnight hours 2 homes of Pakhi village were swept away by a ‘cloudburst’ induced flashflood spell in Garudganga. The bridge & temple on the river were also impacted.
The seasonal streams Mangrigad and Semaldhar gadera in Pipalkoti swelled dangerously and invaded human habitations in Pipalkoti. The Nagar Panchayat office complex was filled with muck and water causing damages to computer room and documents. 15 other homes and 2 temples were invaded by debris flows. 3 private bikes and 2 four wheelers of Nagar Panchayat were buried under the rubble. The local people had to run away from their homes to save their lives. 1 person from Pipalkoti and a shopkeeper from Agthala village were reportedly swept away. 6 homes were impacted by the debris in Mayapur.
Large part of the district faced power outage. The 11 Kv & 66 Kv power lines were damaged. The hydro power project on Birahiganga river suffered damages. The power house of the plant was flooded trapping 2 workers there who were later rescued by the police. The TBM site of Vishnugad Pipalkoti hydro project along with CISF residential colony there were also flooded with the debris.
The Math Jhadeta, Bemru, Syon, Guniyala, Kulsari and Bhelikhet villages in Dasholi block; and Gadi and Sainji villages in Nijmulla valley witnessed severe damages to public and private properties around same time. The Badrinath highway was also blocked at 11 sites including at Pakhi, Pipalkoti, Mayapur, Chhinka, Nandprayag. Source: Raftar News[lv], Badlta Garhwal[lvi], Amar Ujala[lvii], NBT[lviii], ToI[lix], Samay Live[lx]
13 Aug; Chamoli: Several homes, school, panchayat buildings and cowsheds in Kunj Pothani and Kana villages were damaged by a ‘cloudburst’ killing a dozen cattle in late night of Aug 13, 2023. The people left villages for safer places. The village roads and farming land also suffered damages. The village is located about 20 km from district headquarters, but the affected villagers got no help from administration for 4 days. Source: Chamoli News[lxi], Pahad Raftar[lxii].
13 August; Chamoli: Several villages including Dhadhar Bagad, Ratgaon, Paingarh and Tharalai in Tharali block faced severe destruction after a ‘cloudburst’ incident in the Brahmtal Bugyal area around 10:00 pm on August 13, 2023 causing flashflood in Pranmati river. The villagers got information on phone about the deluge in advance and left their homes for safer places in time. 5 homes, 4 cowsheds were totally damaged and 4 cattle were killed.
The deluge washed away 5 bridges (2 motor and 3 foot bridges) and 2 cars. Several homes, shops and cowsheds were damaged. A person swept away by the gushing water managed to survive by holding on to a tree. The flashflood also washed away about 10 ha of farming land and damaged several electric polls causing disruption in power supply.
The river flow was blocked at Tharali motor bridge turning it into a huge lake and soon the flood washed away the bridge. Pranmati carried so much water that it pushed back Pindar river near Tharali. The collapse of motor bridge at Tharali and bailey bridge on Pranmati at Ratgaon cut off about a dozen villages from road connectivity and disrupted the supply of essential goods. Bursol village and Narayanbagad area in Tharali were also affected by excessive rains and flashflood.
The extreme weather spell cut off the Deval & Tharali blocks in Pindar valley from district headquarters. The Alaknanda river washed away an ancient temple near Rano village in Gauchar. The villagers blamed the construction of railway bridge for causing diversion of flood waters towards habitations. Source: NBT[lxiii], Dainik Jagran[lxiv], Amar Ujala[lxv] Uttarakhand Himalaya[lxvi].
14 August; Uttarkashi: The ‘cloudburst’ induced flashflood in Jalla gadera caused significant destruction in Jalla Dogri tok of Dachanu village in Arakot area under Mori tehsil around 03:30 am on August 14, 2023. 1 woman died after being caught in the deluge while 2 other persons suffered injuries. About 3 homes and 3 cowsheds were totally damaged by the flashflood resulting in death of 16 cattle. 2 foot bridges on Jalla gadera were also washed away. Source: Dainik Jagran[lxvii]. In a separate incident, a Bailey bridge in Nelang valley under Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi district was washed away after a flashflood spell in Chorgad river.
16 August; Chamoli: The Sole valley witnessed another intense rainfall in the night of Aug 16, 2023 flooding Pranmati river, washing away 2 already damaged homes during Aug 13 flood spell, 2 cowsheds and a temporary bridge connecting Tharali & Suna. 4 cattle were also killed by the deluge. An ancient temple in Tharali was buried under the muck. The flashflood further damaged agriculture land belonging to Dhadharbagad, Ratgaon and Bursol villages. The administration had to move the affected villagers to safer location. Source: Amar Ujala[lxviii], Amar Ujala[lxix]
17 August; Pauri: Several homes in Sindudi village panchayat under Yamkeshwar block were damaged and several others were flooded with muck and debris after a ‘cloudburst’ induced flashflood incident in late night hours of August 17, 2023. Source: Lekhan Adda[lxx].
18 Aug; Pauri: A cowshed was razed and a home was damaged in Bulainu village under Malla Kanda panchayat of Beronkhal tehsil by muck flood following intense rainfall spell in noon hours of Aug 18, 2023. The occupants of the home managed to survive the deluge. Several other homes were also affected by the debris and 4 families were shifted to safer location. The gushing water damaged the drinking water supply lines & local road at several places. Source: Amar Ujala[lxxi].
22 Aug; Pauri: Part of Meerut-Pauri NH 534 was washed away in Khoh river due to ‘cloudburst’ induced flashflood near Aamsaur village in Kotdwar area in early morning of Aug 22, 2023. The NH was also blocked due to landslides at several locations. This was second such incident in 2 weeks severely damaging the NH. Source: ETV Bharat[lxxii], Aaj Tak[lxxiii].
SEPTEMBER 2023
15 Sep.; Almora: The Aukhlyun, Mohan Dhai, Munani and Maal Bhida villages in Syaldey block suffered significant damages due to a ‘cloudburst’ induced flashflood incident taking place about 02:00 am on Sep., 15, 2023. The area is located close to the border of Pauri & Chamoli districts. The flashflood washed away a water mill, damaged PWD road, villages pathways, 3 drinking water supply lines. Farming land, crops and the flood protection walls along the local gadera were swept away. The flashflood impacted 5 houses & could have damaged about 30 houses in case of diversion of flood water. The incident impacted about 500 people. Source: Amar Ujala[lxxiv], Hindustan[lxxv].
High Rainfall Days: As per India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, there have been 62 high rainfall days in the different districts of Uttarakhand state during South West monsoon season 2023. This includes 56 days when the rainfall has been between 50 mm to100 millimeters (mm); 4 days of rainfall between 100 mm to 150 mm and 2 days of rainfall between 150 mm to 200mm. 46 of these heavy rainfall days have been recorded in the month of July (25 days) and August 2023 (22 days) followed by 9 days in September 2023 and 6 days in June 2023.
District wise, Dehradun has recorded the maximum 12 high rainfall days followed by 9 days in Bageshwar and 8 days in Udham Singh Nagar, 7 days in Haridwar and 6 days in Champawat. Cumulatively, these 5 districts have registered 42 days of heavy rainfalls in the state. Interestingly, IMD data shows only 1 heavy rainfall day in Chamoli district during the entire monsoon season where the maximum 10 ‘cloudburst’ incidents have been reported. The month and district wise details of high rainfall days in Uttarakhand state can be seen in table below.
Table on High Rainfall days in Uttarakhand Districts in SW Monsoon 2023
| Districts | June | July | August | Sept | Total |
| Almora | – | 12 (1) | – | 11 (1) | 2 |
| Bageshwar | 22, 24 (2) | 26 (1) 100-150: 18 (1) | 2, 4, 9, 14, 23 (5) | – | 9 |
| Chamoli | – | 22 (1) | – | – | 1 |
| Champawat | – | 1 (1) | 2, 9, 14 (3) | 10, 11 (2) | 6 |
| Dehradun | 1, 26 (2) | 10, 13, 18, 22, 26 (5) 100-150: (1) | 11, 18 (2) 100-150: 10 (1); 150-200: 14 (1) | – | 12 |
| Haridwar | 25 (1) | 8, 9, 10, 18 (4); 100-150: 13 (1); 150-200: 11 (1) | – | – | 7 |
| Nainital | – | – | 8, 9 (2) | 10, 11, 21 (3) | 4 |
| Pauri Garhwal | – | – | 9, 14 (2) | – | 2 |
| Pithoragarh | – | 22 (1) | 14 (1) | 11 (1) | 3 |
| Rudraprayag | – | 13 (1) | – | – | 1 |
| Tehri Garhwal | 26 (1) | 11, 13 (2) | 14 (1) | – | 4 |
| Uttarkashi | – | 11, 22 (2) | – | – | 2 |
| Udham Singh Nagar | – | 6, 9 (2) | 9, 10, 22, 23 (4) | 10, 11 (2) | 8 |
| UTTARAKHAND | 6 | 21 + 3 + 1 = 25 | 20 + 1 + 1 = 22 | 9 | 56 + 4 + 2 = 62 |
Note: In each month, each district, the dates when rainfall is 50-100 mm are given. The figure in the bracket gives total number of such dates in a given month in a given district. Where rainfall is 100-150 mm (total 4 such dates in SW monsoon 2023) or 150-200 mm (two such dates), such dates are mentioned along with the rainfall range, after the dates for 50-100 mm.
Lack of Monitoring, Documentation
While the incidents of highly localized intense rainfall spells termed as ‘cloudburst’ seems on the rise across the state, Meteorological Centre (MC), Dehradun has not been monitoring and documenting the phenomena separately. Researchers also feel that the present rainfall monitoring network in the state is totally inadequate.
Bikram Singh, Director, MC, Dehradun says that presently there are 132 Automatic Weather Station (AWS), 51 Automatic Rain Gauge (ARG) established and 70 manual rain gauge functioning in Uttarakhand. As per him, the network sufficiently covers all the important locations including human habitation, towns, pilgrim spots in the state. “We have daily heavy and excessive rainfall data. Our daily weather report covers flash flood related damages”, Bikram Singh replied when asked if MC, Dehradun profiling the ‘cloudburst’ incidents in the state.
While meteorologically 100mm rainfall in an hour is defined as a ‘cloudburst’ incident, given insufficient rainfall monitoring network the MC, Dehradun is unable to determine such events. Moreover, there are short duration intense rain spells happening in remote areas out of its existing monitoring network. This leaves huge scope for speculation where local people, media and even local administration take leads in deciding whether it was a ‘cloudburst’ or not. At the same time, there are cases of sudden downpour and resultant deluge causing devastation in local level yet getting categorized as normal rainfall events. And without precise rainfall figures, MC, Dehradun neither can accept nor deny it.
According to Roxy Mathew Koll, Climate Scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune, due to lack of onsite monitoring, one cannot be conclusive about ‘cloudburst’ events. Without long term scientific monitoring data and analysis, we cannot even link them directly with climate change though they may indirectly have a climate change footprint. “To begin with, we need to expand our monitoring facilities, conduct rigorous monitoring to analyze ‘cloudburst’ and identify potential hilly regions and hot spot areas”, says Koll.
Summary: On the basis of available media reports, we have compiled occurrence of at least 28 ‘‘cloudburst’’ incident in Uttarakhand during SW monsoon 2023. This is after exclusion of 7 such incidents (August 04 at Gaurikund in Rudraprayag; August 06 at Moroda village in Sakalana, Tehri; August 08 at Bhud Papdiyan in Vikas Nagar, Dehradun; August 13, 17 & 22 at Nobad village, Dwarikhal, at Kothar & Sindudi villages in Yamkeshwar and Aamsaur village in Kotdwar of Pauri district) mentioned in description above due to lack of adequate and credible information.
The maximum 16 incidents have taken place in the month of August followed by 10 in July and 1 each in June and September. Interestingly, there have been no report of such incident in pre-monsoon months in the state this year.
District wise maximum 10 incidents have occurred in Chamoli district followed by 4 each in Uttarkashi & Pauri, 3 in Pithoragarh, 2 each in Rudraprayag, Bageshwar & Nainital and 1 in Almora district.
Geographically, of all at least 19 ‘cloudburst’ incidents have happened in higher altitude of Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag & Pithoragarh districts; about 6 incidents in middle Himalayas of Pauri, Bageshwar, Nainital & Almora and 3 such incident in lower Himalayan region of Kotdwar, Kotabagh & Kathgodam.
Summary table of ‘cloudburst’ incidents in 2023
| Date & Time | No. | Drainage/ River | Location/ Block/Tehsil, District | Impact |
| 24 June ~04:00 am | 1 | Local stream/ Alaknanda | Painka village area/ Joshimath/ Chamoli | Village pathways, tracks damaged. 01 foot bridge, ~50 small check dams washed away. Badrinath NH blocked. Villagers left homes for safer places. |
| 06 July afternoon hours | 1 | Topha nallah/ Dhauli | Chal village/ Dharchula/ Pithoragah | Ropeway trolley washed away. ~25 villagers stranded. Village disconnected from road services. Iron bridge washed away in 2013 disaster still not rebuilt. 165 Mw Bokang-Baling HEP is proposed in the affected area. |
| 10 July, 07:30 pm | 1 | Devgarh gadera/ Dhauliganga | Jumma/ Joshimath/ Chamoli | Joshimath- Mallari motor bridge washed away disconnecting ~15 villages from road network in Niti valley. |
| 15 July ~09:00 pm | 1 | Local stream/ Pindar | Ungiya tok in Sorag village/ Kapkot/ Bageshwar | Human habitations downhill narrowly missed being damaged by muck flood. Erosion made several homes vulnerable for damages. Aera always face power supply and mobile network problems hampering timely dissemination information to administration |
| 18 July, Early morning hours | 1 | Kumtoli gadera/ Pindar | Badiyakot/ Kapkot/ Bageshwar | 01 foot bridges washed away, 1 govt building affected disrupting villagers’ access to health, education services. Delay in administration help for being a remote area of the district. |
| 18 July, Late Night hours | 1 | Nacheti nullah/ Sarda | Gunji-Kalapani/ Dharchula/ Pithoragarh | Bailey bridge washed away, motor road damaged. Area located close to China border. |
| 20 July, ~01:30 am | 1 | Rauli gadera/ Nayaar river | Rauli village/ Thailisain/ Pauri | 01 cowshed, ~12 cattle/ 08 culverts/ foot bridges, drinking water lines, ~02 hectare of farmland washed away. Key motor bridge severely damaged cutting off ~80 villages from tehsil office. |
| 22 July, Early morning hours | 1 | Local stream/ Gauriganga | Jarjibli/ Bangapani/ Pithoragarh | Part of main motor road washed away and damaged at several locations. Several homes, few foot bridges, farmlands partly affected. |
| 22 July, Early morning hours | 3 | Chhada khad, Kamalganga, Maal gadera, Dhanpati river, Banal khad/ Yamuna/ Ganga | Villages in Purola, Badkot & Dunda tehsil/ Uttarkashi | Several houses, shops, vehicles, irrigation, drinking water lines in Purola, Badkot, Dunda area were affected. Farm crops, lands, apple orchards damaged. Tourist camp at Gangnani damaged. Boarding school was flooded along Yamuna. 1 foot bridge on Banal khad and 2 on Chhara khad were washed away. Yamnotri NH was closed at several sites. |
| 01 August ~03:00 am | 1 | Daun Nullah/ Kosi river | Amigarh, Parewa/ Kotabagh/ Nainital | ~50 homes, cowsheds flooded. Local roads, farming land and crops damaged in large area. |
| 05 August, Late night hours | 1 | Lundau gadera / Alaknanda | Bameru & Syun villages/ Dasholi/ Chamoli | Few cowsheds damaged. Wooden bridge washed away. ~04 ha. Farmland damaged. Villagers left homes for safer sites. Goods supply & health, education services affected. |
| 06 August, ~01:00 am | 1 | Local stream/ Alaknanda | Naula & Gawad villages/ Joshimath/ Chamoli | 1 cowshed, 1 toilet washed away. Several homes developed cracks. Village pathways, drinking water line, electric poles & local road suffered damages. |
| 08 August Night hours | 1 | Local stream/ Ganga | Kandi village/ Yamkeshwar/ Pauri | 4 cowsheds razed, 8 cattle killed. Power supply, local roads damaged. |
| 08 August Late night hours | 1 | Pagal nullah/ Khoh/ Ramganga | Aamsaur/ Kotdwar/ Pauri | Part of NH 15 significantly damaged. A swinging bridge was damaged & about 200 homes along Khoh river were flooded. Flood protection measures along Paniyala, Khoh, Sukharo, Malan rivers were damaged. |
| 08 August, Late evening hours | 1 | Kalsiya & Raksiya nullahs/ Gaula | Kathgodam/ Nainital | 06 homes were washed away & several others filled with muck. Wall of security guard room at Gaula barrage damaged. About 250 families shifted to safer places. |
| 11 August, Late night hours | 1 | Local stream/ Kaliganga/ Mandakini | Byunkhi village/ Ukhimath/ Rudraprayag | Several homes, cowsheds were made vulnerable by muck flow. Village pathways, local roads, farmlands were damaged. |
| 13 August Late night hours | 1 | Lincholi stream/ Mandakini | Chhani camp/ Kedarnath/ Rudraprayag | 1 person killed, 1 went missing & 6 rescued. Several makeshift tent shops along with goods & and part of Kedarnath walking track damaged. |
| 13 August Late night hours | 3 | Garudganga, Mangrigad, Semaldhar gadera, Birahiganga/ Alaknanda | Pankhi, Pipalkoti, Mayapur, Sainji,/ Joshimath/ Chamoli | 1 person killed, 1 went missing. 2 homes damaged over 2 dozen affected including Pipalkoti Nagar Panchayat office. 02 foot-bridges washed away. 5 vehicles damaged. Badrinath NH damaged at several locations. Power house of Birahi hydro project flooded. TBM site of Vishnugad Pipalkoti hydro project & CISF camp invaded with debris. Several people left their homes for safer places. |
| 13 August Late night hours | 1 | Local stream/ Alaknanda | Kunj Pothani & Kana/ Dasholi/ Chamoli | Several homes, cowsheds including school & panchayat buildings, village pathways, farming lands were damaged. |
| 13 August ~10:00 pm | 1 | Pranmati/ Pindar | Ratgaon, Paingarh/ Tharalai/ Chamoli | Flashflood in Pranmati caused large scale destruction washing away 3 foot & 2 motor bridges, 5 homes, 4 cowsheds, ~10 ha farmland, 2 cars were washed away. 4 cattle were killed. Several other structures, local roads were damaged. Locals left homes for safer locations. Power supply disrupted. Goods supply, medical & education services affected for over 15 villages. |
| 14 August, 03:30 am | 1 | Jalla gadera/ Pabbar/ Tons | Dachanu/ Mori/ Uttarkashi | 1 woman killed, 2 others injured. 16 cattle, 2 foot bridges washed away. 2 homes & 3 cowsheds fully damaged. |
| 16 August, Night houts | 1 | Pranmati/ Pindar | Ratgaon, Paingarh/ Tharali/ Chamoli | Another flashflood spell witnessed in Pranmati washing away 2 homes, damaging 1 temple and farming land along the river. |
| 18 August ~12”30 pm | 1 | Local stream/ East Nayaar/ Ganga | Bulainu village / Bironkhal/ Pauri | 1 cowshed razed; several homes flooded with debris. Drinking water supply, farming land, local road damaged. |
| 15 Sept. ~02:00 am | 1 | Local stream/ Ramganga | Aukhlyun, Mohan Dhai/ Syaldey/ Almora | A watermill washed way. PWD road, 3 potable water supply lines, flood protection measures, village pathways, crops, farmlands severely damaged. |
| Total | 28 |
Interactive Google map showing locations of ‘cloudburst’ incidents in Uttarakhand during south west monsoon season 2023.
In terms of impact, cumulatively, people in large numbers both in urban and rural areas have severely been affected by the ‘‘cloudbursts’’. Fortunately, the human death toll has been on lower side, however, the infrastructural destruction has been significant.
The analysis of media report suggests that at least 3 people have lost their lives while 3 have gone missing and at least 40 domestic cattle have been killed in these incidents. The disaster has totally destroyed 14 homes & 17 cowsheds, while over hundred homes and a dozen cowsheds have suffered partial damages.
Overall, 27 foot-bridges; 04 motor bridges and 18 vehicles have been washed away or severely damaged. Most of the ‘‘cloudburst’’ incidents have caused significant damages to flood protection measures along local rivers, power & potable water supply lines, irrigational channels, crops & farming land and local roads.
The July 22 & August 13 ‘cloudburst’ events in Yamnotri valley, Uttarkashi; Alaknanda & Pindar valley, Chamoli have resulted in large scale destruction of public and private properties. The ‘cloudburst’ induced floods have also affected at least 2 hydro power projects including the under construction Vishnugad Pipalkoti and the operational Birahiganga HEP, however adequate information is not available about the scale of impact.
The excessive rainfall spells in intervening nights of August 13-14, 2023 and the subsequent flashflood in Alaknanda river has also resulted highest flood level (HFL) breach incidents at Birahi, Chhinka and Devprayag (A) flood monitoring sites of Central Water Commission (CWC). The details of this flood event can be seen here[lxxvi].
Similarly, the Khoh river at Nagina site in Bijnor crossed the old HFL 4 times[lxxvii] in July and August 2023 following excessive rainfall in Kotdwar region. The Fica river at Fica barrage site in Udham Singh Nagar has crossed the old HFL on July 10 and August 23 but the most of the sites in Middle Ganga Division -2 including Kathgodam were non-functioning during flashflood event of August 9-10, 2023. Details of this issue and other relevant problems in CWC’s flood monitoring work as observed in July -August 2023 can be seen here[lxxviii].
Some news clips from Amar Ujala on ‘cloudburst’ and intense rainfall events in Uttarakhand during SW monsoon 2023.
In the remote hill areas of Uttarakhand, the ‘cloudburst’ disaster is proving a double whammy for the local people who first suffer from the deluge and then from the delay in administration aid and restoration works turning their lives miserable by depriving them of food supply, health and education services for days.
The plight of urban poor is equally worse who in absence of properly planned housing facilities are settling closer to waterways thus ending up encroaching them and then finding their lives and properties in danger during flashflood events as happened this year in Kotdwar and Kathgodam.
The state is already seeing increasing list of disaster affected villages requiring rehabilitation & the ‘cloudburst’ disasters are lengthening the list. Disappointingly, the monitoring and mitigation efforts by the government are largely missing and the restoration process is so slow that the ‘cloudburst’ affected & threatened villagers are only looking at uncertain future. The state government needs to come out with detailed report each year about such incidents and their impacts.
Bhim Singh Rawat (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)
References:
[i] https://www.livehindustan.com/uttarakhand/story-uttarakhand-disaster-people-are-scared-again-in-joshimath-damage-after-rain-8348011.html
[ii] https://www.livehindustan.com/uttarakhand/story-tension-increased-again-in-joshimath-after-the-rain-the-contact-road-of-the-village-was-washed-away-8352285.html
[iii] https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/rudraprayag-monsoon-in-uttarakhand-kedarnath-yatra-effected-one-killed-by-thunder-storm-in-uttarkashi-23451675.html
[iv] https://www.abplive.com/videos/states/breaking-news-damage-to-roads-due-to-cloudburst-in-joshimath-uttarakhand-news-up-news-2439140
[v] https://www.outlookindia.com/national/uttarakhand-cloudburst-bridge-washed-away-due-to-flash-floods-over-200-trapped-in-pithoragarh-news-300942
[vi] https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/uttarakhand/bharat/landslide-in-pithoragarh/na20230707115858635635042
[vii] https://www.aslibharat.com/uttarakhand-villagers-who-went-to-find-wormwood-in-the-forest-survived-with-difficulty/
[viii] https://www.jagran.com/videos/news/uttarakhand-cloudburst-200-pithoragarh-10818.html
[ix] https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/chamoli-gopeshwar-flood-like-situation-in-jumma-drain-due-to-rain-big-boulder-stuck-under-motor-bridge-23467305.html
[x] https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-weather-heavy-rainfall-jummu-bridge-washed-away-on-joshimath-malari-highway-near-china-border-2023-07-11
[xi] https://www.amarujala.com/uttarakhand/bageshwar/people-face-problems-bageshwar-news-c-231-1-shld1004-297-2023-07-17
[xii] https://public.app/video/sp_97h05o91aqzno
[xiii] https://khabaruttarakhandlive.in/there-is-no-one-to-take-care-of-pindar-valley-harish-aithani/
[xiv] https://public.app/video/sp_l5nogjx79t46m
[xv] https://www.livehindustan.com/uttarakhand/bageshwar/story-six-houses-damaged-due-to-heavy-rains-in-bageshwar-8465436.html
[xvi] https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-weather-news-cloudburst-in-pithoragarh-bailey-bridge-connecting-gunji-kalapani-buried-under-debris-2023-07-19
[xvii] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/rains-news-live-updates-delhi-river-yamuna-monsoon-india-imd-alert-floods-landslides-traffic-rules-schools-colleges-cancelled/liveblog/101842228.cms
[xviii] https://thenortherngazette.com/index.php/2023/07/19/cloudburst-at-kalapani-on-indo-china-border/
[xix] https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-weather-cloudburst-in-pauri-after-heavy-rainfall-bridge-collapse-many-cattle-missing-in-flood-2023-07-21
[xx] https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/dehradun-city-uttarakhand-weather-update-today-22-july-2023-heavy-rain-yellow-alert-in-uttarakhand-23478687.html
[xxi] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P78yDxPipIQ
[xxii] https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/dehradun-city-uttarakhand-cloud-burst-uttarakhand-weather-update-uttarkashi-cloud-burst-pauri-cloud-burst-rain-in-uttarakhand-photos-hpjagranspecial-23478939.html
[xxiii] https://www.amarujala.com/uttarakhand/pithoragarh/six-houses-in-danger-in-dethal-tok-of-zarajibali-pithoragarh-news-c-230-1-pth1001-2229-2023-07-23
[xxiv] https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/uttarkashi-uttarakhand-weather-update-today-22-july-2023-heavy-rain-alert-in-uttarakhand-heavy-rain-in-uttarkashi-see-photos-hpjagranspecial-23478671.html
[xxv] https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-weather-update-heavy-rain-alert-mussoorie-cloudburst-today-traffic-jam-news-in-hindi-2023-07-22
[xxvi] https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/uttarakhand/state/uttarkashi/landslide-after-cloudburst-in-uttarkashi-damaged-many-houses/uttarakhand20230722160930691691794
[xxvii] https://rajkajlive.com/uttarakhand/late-night-cloudburst-in-purola-fear-of-heavy-loss/
[xxviii] https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/nainital-nainital-devastation-due-to-cloudburst-in-okhaldhunga-of-kotabagh-23489606.html
[xxix] https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/dehradun/uttarakhand-weather-news-cloudburst-in-nainital-okhaldhunga-damage-due-to-water-and-debris-entering-houses-2023-08-02
[xxx] https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/uttarakhand-weather-news-cloudburst-in-nainital-water-and-debris-entered-houses-ann-2465396
[xxxi] https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/dehradun/uttarakhand-gaurikund-landslide-news-people-told-accident-horrible-story-2023-08-04
[xxxii] https://pahadraftar.com/peepalkoti-due-to-cloudburst-in-majju-laga-gwad-of-syun-village-hundreds-of-drain-land-and-cash-crops-were-destroyed-the-bridge-built-on-ludau-gadre-washed-away-movement-stopped/
[xxxiii] https://gadhsamvedna.com/cloud-burst-in-gwad-tok-of-seun-village-crops-of-15-families-destroyed/
[xxxiv] https://pahadraftar.com/joshimath-heavy-damage-due-to-heavy-rains-in-gwad-tok-of-thang-village-ten-residential-houses-in-danger/
[xxxv] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKWG0I7puKU
[xxxvi] https://mirroruttarakhand.com/news-uttarakhand-tehri-two-kids-died-due-to-cloud-burst/
[xxxvii] https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/dehradun/uttarakhand-weather-news-rain-wreaks-havoc-two-children-died-luck-saved-third-tehri-cloudburst-in-joshimath-2023-08-06
[xxxviii] https://www.livehindustan.com/uttarakhand/pauri/story-four-cow-sheds-destroyed-due-to-cloudburst-in-kandi-village-threat-to-8-houses-8554510.html
[xxxix] https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/dehradun/uttarakhand-weather-news-cracks-in-devrana-village-of-yamkeshwar-pauri-threat-to-32-families-watch-photos-2023-08-13
[xl] https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/dehradun/flood-in-kotdwar-after-heavy-rainfall-many-vehclile-stuck-and-highway-washed-away-uttarakhand-news-in-hindi-2023-08-09?pageId=3
[xli] https://sarthakpahal.com/index.php/2023/08/11/rain-wreaks-havoc-in-uttarakhand-cloudburst-near-dugadda-security-wall-of-sukro-river-broken-video/
[xlii] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOeusWiZOTY
[xliii] https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/dehradun/flood-like-condition-in-uttarakhand-kotdwar-after-heavy-rainfall-and-river-overflow-2023-08-08
[xliv] https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/damage-due-to-heavy-rains-in-uttarakhand-s-kotdwar-point-to-greater-need-for-rainfall-and-water-level-monitoring-91136
[xlv] https://www.amarujala.com/uttarakhand/nainital/flood-scene-in-haldwani-haldwani-news-c-8-1-hld1006-205775-2023-08-09
[xlvi] https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/haridwar-when-debris-suddenly-came-in-kathgodam-people-ran-away-bare-foot-leaving-food-on-the-stove-23496248.html
[xlvii] https://pahaadnews.com/news-of-heavy-damage-due-to-cloudburst-in-papdian-bhud-village-of-vikasnagar-dehradun/
[xlviii] https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/dehradun-city-devastation-due-to-cloudburst-in-vikasnagar-debris-entered-the-village-shifted-to-affected-families-23497144.html
[xlix] https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/uttarakhand/state/rudraprayag/many-houses-were-in-danger-due-to-cloudburst-in-kalimath-valley-byunkhi-rudraprayag/uttarakhand20230811134022519519539
[l] https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/uttarakhand/state/pauri-garhwal/cracks-in-houses-after-cloudburst-in-kotdwar/uttarakhand20230818123936700700828
[li] https://sarthakpahal.com/index.php/2023/08/16/seven-people-buried-after-falling-on-top-of-house-late-night-in-chamoli-two-people-died-cloud-burst-in-kothar-village/
[lii] https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/uttarakhand/state/rudraprayag/cloud-burst-in-badi-linchloli-on-kedarnath-foot-road-in-rudraprayag/uttarakhand20230814084651361361784
[liii] https://badltagarhwal.com/due-to-cloudburst-in-chhani-camp-of-kedarnath-yatra-marg-lincholi-some-part-of-the-pedestrian-path-was-washed-out-and-some-shops-were-also-under-debris/
[liv] https://badltagarhwal.com/in-nandanagar-too-nandakini-created-havoc-in-nandanagar/
[lv] https://raftaar.in/news/local-news/uttarakhand/uttarakhand-heavy-rain-cloud-burst-at-many-places-in-joshimath
[lvi] https://badltagarhwal.com/rain-wreaks-havoc-in-chamoli-pipalkoti/
[lvii] https://www.amarujala.com/uttarakhand/chamoli/disaster-loss-of-five-and-a-half-crores-to-nagar-panchayat-pipalkoti-due-to-disaster-gopeshwar-news-c-47-1-sdrn1001-2042-2023-09-06
[lviii] https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/uttarakhand/dehradun/chamoli-cloudburst-many-vehicles-were-washed-away-in-flood-vehicles-buried-under-debris-from-mountain/articleshow/102709699.cms
[lix] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/uttarakhand-rains-many-vehicles-buried-under-debris-in-chamolis-pipalkoti-drain-water-enters-inside-shops-houses/articleshow/102706820.cms
[lx] http://www.samaylive.com/regional-news-in-hindi/uttarakhand-news-in-hindi/489451/heavy-destruction-due-to-rain-in-uttarakhand-news-of-heavy-damage-due-to-cloudburst-in-chamoli.html
[lxi] https://chamolinews.in/others/due-to-cloudburst-in-konj-pothani-kana-village-of-dasholi-block-half-a-dozen-cows-were-washed-away-and-debris-entered-peoples-homes/
[lxii] https://pahadraftar.com/chamoli-heavy-devastation-in-konjpothani-and-kana-villages-due-to-disaster-nine-families-took-shelter-in-other-houses-dozens-of-cattle/
[lxiii] https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/uttarakhand/dehradun/uttarakhand-chamoli-cloudburst-debris-came-in-houses-motor-bridge-washed-away/articleshow/102738983.cms
[lxiv] https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/chamoli-the-pranmati-river-was-in-spate-due-to-cloudburst-the-bridge-broke-down-and-entered-the-river-vehicles-in-flood-23501943.html
[lxv] https://www.amarujala.com/uttarakhand/chamoli/five-houses-and-five-bridges-washed-away-due-to-flood-in-pranmati-river-karnpryag-news-c-48-1-sdrn1015-1028-2023-08-14
[lxvi] https://uttarakhandhimalaya.in/normal-life-in-pindar-valley-not-returned-so-far/
[lxvii] https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/uttarkashi-uttarkashi-news-cloud-burst-in-mori-of-uttarkashi-woman-missing-due-to-storm-23501464.html
[lxviii] https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/dehradun/uttarakhand-weather-today-cloud-burst-in-chamoli-tharali-heavy-rain-roads-closed-watch-photos-2023-08-18
[lxix] https://www.amarujala.com/uttarakhand/chamoli/due-to-heavy-rains-in-tharali-pranmati-river-got-flooded-temporary-culvert-opened-karnpryag-news-c-5-1-drn1031-225551-2023-08-18
[lxx] http://lekhanadda.com/news/Yamkeshwar:_Devastation_in_Bairagarh_village,_lives_saved_by_the_alertness_of_the_villagers.-1702
[lxxi] https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-weather-disaster-after-extreme-rainfall-in-kotdwar-bulainu-village-residential-building-damaged-2023-08-18
[lxxii] https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/delhi/bharat/large-portion-of-meerut-pauri-national-highway-534-washed-away-in-kho-river-due-to-cloudburst-in-amsaud-village-of-pauri-district/na20230822152714606606539
[lxxiii] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhOZkE4eyk0
[lxxiv] https://www.amarujala.com/uttarakhand/almora/heavy-damage-caused-by-heavy-rainfall-in-syllabus-almora-news-c-232-1-alm1001-3007-2023-09-17
[lxxv] https://www.livehindustan.com/uttarakhand/almora/story-rain-havoc-in-munani-fear-of-cloud-burst-8721548.html
[lxxvi] https://sandrp.in/2023/09/05/aug-2023-floods-in-alaknanda-ganga-rivers/
[lxxvii] https://sandrp.in/2023/09/06/rivers-crossing-highest-flood-levels-in-india-in-august-2023/
[lxxviii] https://sandrp.in/2023/09/06/rivers-crossing-highest-flood-levels-in-india-in-august-2023/
SANDRP 