Cloudburst hits Chamoli’s Tharali as IMD warns of extremely heavy rain
A cloudburst was reported in the Tharali area of Chamoli as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a severe warning for the state, calling the next 24 hours critical. The latest bulletin, dated August 23, 2025, says heavy to very heavy rain is likely across multiple districts, with isolated pockets at risk of “extremely heavy” showers of 21 cm or more in a day. The Uttarakhand weather pattern remains unstable and moisture-laden, setting up conditions for sudden, intense downpours.
Cloudbursts are short, violent bursts of rain over a small area, often in steep terrain. In places like Tharali, where valleys are narrow and slopes are saturated by days of rain, that kind of cloudburst can quickly trigger flash floods, mudslides, and rockfall. Local administration and disaster management units have been placed on high alert. Field teams are watching known slide zones and stream channels that can swell without much warning.
Dehradun is set for a wet spell through Saturday, with IMD indicating a 90% chance of precipitation, temperatures near 23°C (73°F), southeast winds around 9 mph, and cloud cover close to 77%. That wind direction feeds moisture into the foothills. With the ground already soaked, even moderate bursts can tip slopes into failure. Traffic disruptions and brief power interruptions are possible if trees fall or drains choke.
August is usually the rainiest month in the hills. Uttarakhand’s typical August temperatures hover between 20°C and 31°C and the state clocks more than 22 rainy days on average. Dehradun alone can see 15–22 wet days, adding up to roughly 568 mm across the month. This season has already run hot and heavy: on August 12, IMD warned of heavy to very heavy rain over seven days, with a specific alert for isolated extremely heavy rain over Uttarakhand on August 13. Today’s warning extends that concern as the monsoon trough stays active.
The risk map is straightforward. Steeper stretches and river valleys are most vulnerable—Chamoli, where Tharali sits, has both. Routes that snake along cliffs or cross narrow gorges can be blocked by slides with little notice. Smaller rivers and mountain streams can swell minutes after a cloudburst upstream. Travelers, trekkers, and pilgrims moving between Dehradun and Bageshwar have been asked to stay alert and avoid unnecessary trips until the current phase eases.
What makes today particularly tricky is the combination of saturated soil, fresh inflow from persistent showers, and the chance of a few hyper-local, intense cells. Even if your neighborhood sees a lull, nearby hills can catch a burst and send water rushing down. That mismatch between where the rain falls and where the damage shows up is classic for Himalayan monsoon days.
What to expect and how to stay safe in the next 24 hours
Officials say emergency services are mobilized and on standby to respond to landslides, flash floods, and road blockages. District control rooms are monitoring updates from the IMD and local rain gauges. Road maintenance teams are clearing drains where possible, but heavy rain can outpace efforts. Expect intermittent disruptions on hill roads, especially after dark.
If you live in or are traveling through the affected belt, here’s a simple checklist for the day:
- Delay non-essential travel. If you must drive, move during daylight, stick to main roads, and avoid known slide-prone stretches.
- Keep away from riverbanks, swollen streams, and waterfalls. Do not attempt to cross flowing water, even if it looks shallow.
- Park vehicles on higher, stable ground—never in basements or near drains that can backflow.
- Charge phones and power banks. Keep a small go-bag: IDs, medicines, a torch, dry snacks, and drinking water.
- Watch for early signs of trouble: new cracks in walls or ground, tilting trees, muddy water seeping into homes, or unusual sounds from the hillside.
- Farmers: move livestock to safer sheds, secure fodder, and clear field drains to prevent waterlogging.
- Homestays and hotels: brief guests, share emergency contacts, and avoid sending groups on trails or to river viewpoints.
Parents should track school and transport updates—it’s common for authorities to adjust schedules during intense spells. Construction sites need to secure loose material and scaffolding. Shops and small businesses along slopes should keep shutters ready if runoff rises suddenly.
How do you spot a cloudburst risk? There’s no foolproof sign at ground level, but rapid darkening of skies over nearby ridges, repeated thunder, and a sudden uptick in wind and humidity can precede a burst. Streams that turn muddy and rise quickly are a red flag—move to higher, safer ground and alert others.
For Dehradun and the central districts, the current forecast points to several rounds of showers through the day, some intense. Even after the 24-hour critical window, lingering showers are likely as the monsoon pulse works through. Fresh IMD bulletins will refine the timing and intensity—plan in short windows and adjust based on the latest advisory.
People in low-lying neighborhoods should check sump pumps and clear rooftop and street drains where it’s safe. Housing societies can assign watch shifts to monitor basements and parking levels. If you live along a hillside, store valuables above floor level and keep an eye on retaining walls. Small steps taken now can buy precious minutes if conditions worsen.
Tourists should think twice about riverfront cafes, cliffside photo spots, and off-road detours that look fun but turn risky when the rain picks up. Trek leaders should log plans with local authorities and be ready to turn back early if visibility drops or streams swell. Operators along the Dehradun–Bageshwar corridor are advising guests to hold travel until the heavy spell passes.
In Chamoli, especially around Tharali, the focus today is on slope stability and stream behavior in the hours after the reported cloudburst. Sudden lulls can be deceptive; runoff from upstream can arrive later. Locals know the usual culverts and bends that clog first—if you see them filling, move out of the path and inform the nearest official post.
The monsoon delivers most of Uttarakhand’s annual water, but it also tests the state each year. Today is one of those days to step back, move carefully, and give the weather the respect it demands. If you’re unsure whether to head out, assume conditions are worse than they look and wait for the next official update before deciding.
