India Mudslide Devastates Town After Cloudburst
Army Rescues Survivors Amidst 15-Metre Deep Sludge
A catastrophic mudslide, triggered by an intense cloudburst, has submerged parts of Dharali, leaving a trail of destruction. Rescuers are battling thick sludge as they search for potential survivors.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Around 150 Indian army troops have arrived in Dharali to aid in the rescue operations. They have successfully extracted approximately 20 individuals from the freezing debris. The army described the event as a “massive mudslide” that unleashed a “sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement.”
Images from the scene reveal a slow-moving river of mud engulfing the town, with some houses completely buried, their rooftops barely visible beneath the sludge. State Disaster Response Force commander **Arpan Yaduvanshi** stated that the mud depth reached an astonishing 15 meters in certain areas, completely inundating some structures.
Army spokesman **Suneel Bartwal** confirmed that search and rescue operations are continuing with all available resources. “Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with all available resources being deployed to locate and evacuate any remaining stranded persons,”
he stated.
National Response
Prime Minister **Narendra Modi** offered his sympathies and pledged full support. “No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance,”
he assured in a statement.
Chief Minister **Dhami** attributed the disaster to a powerful “cloudburst” and expressed deep sorrow over the devastation. “The flood was caused by a sudden and intense ‘cloudburst’, calling the destruction ‘extremely sad and distressing’,”
he remarked.
Understanding Cloudbursts
Cloudbursts, characterized by sudden, heavy downpours over localized areas, pose a significant threat in mountainous regions. They can lead to severe flooding and landslides, affecting numerous communities.
Recent studies highlight the increasing intensity of extreme weather events linked to climate change. For instance, a 2023 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) noted a discernible increase in the frequency and intensity of heavy precipitation events globally (IPCC, 2023).
Authorities continue their efforts to reach affected areas and provide essential aid to those impacted by this devastating natural disaster.
