Deadly Cloudburst in India Sweeps Away Village in Flash Flood
'A massive mudslide struck Dharali village in the KheerGad area near Harsil, triggering sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement,' the Indian Army said in a post on X. Troops were immediately mobilized and have reached the site to undertake rescue operations, it said.
Uttarakhand, part of the seismically active and ecologically fragile Himalayan belt, is highly susceptible to extreme weather events during the monsoon season. Cloudbursts, though rare, have become more frequent and intense in recent years, driven by climate change. The region's steep terrain, unplanned construction and deforestation amplify the risks, often turning heavy rainfall into flash floods and landslides.
At least four people died and many are missing after flash floods, the Times of India Newspaper reported.
Several districts of the state received 'extremely heavy' rainfall in the 24-hour period through early Monday, the India Meteorological Department said in a bulletin. More precipitation and thunderstorms are forecast over the Western Himalayan region during the next seven days, it said.
Last year, deadly floods triggered by unusually heavy monsoon rains in the southern Indian state of Kerala killed more than 150 people. Experts blamed the scale of the disaster not only on the intensity of the rainfall but also on weak project planning, including unregulated real estate development and poor infrastructure. The incident exposed the risks of ignoring environmental safeguards in regions increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather.
'The news of heavy damage caused by a cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) region is extremely sad and distressing,' Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said in a post on X.
The weather department has predicted above-average rainfall during the June-September monsoon season. As of Aug. 5, rains have been 3% above the norm in India, the world's second-biggest producer of rice, wheat and sugar cane.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
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Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Indore 42% monsoon deficit, no rainfall on horizon: Met
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NDTV
6 hours ago
- NDTV
How To Keep Snacks Crispy During Monsoon Season: Easy Tips That Work
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Many jars in Indian homes have half-sealed lids or worn-out seals that do not lock in freshness. Together, these factors can ruin the taste and texture of your favourite snacks. How To Store Crispy Snacks During Monsoon Season If you are wondering how to protect your samosas, bhujia, or chaklis from becoming limp during rains, these practical storage tips are worth trying. Simple changes in packaging and placement can make all the difference. 1. Use Airtight Containers The Correct Way Always shift snacks into airtight containers immediately after opening the pack. Leaving them out even briefly allows moisture to creep in. Seal them tightly every time. Say goodbye to old dabbas. If the lid no longer clicks shut or the rubber seal is worn out, it is no longer effective against humidity. Upgrade your jars every season. For added protection, place your snacks in a zip-lock pouch or foil before placing them inside the container. This gives a double layer of defence. 2. 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How To Revive Snacks That Have Already Gone Soggy Even with the best storage, sometimes your snacks may turn soft. Do not toss them yet. Place snacks in a preheated oven or air fryer for 3–5 minutes. For dry namkeen items, heat in a kadhai or on a tawa over low flame to remove moisture. Add a few drops of oil while reheating to help restore texture. Avoid microwaving directly unless using a paper towel base—steam buildup can worsen sogginess. Best Types Of Containers For Snack Storage In Humid Weather Not all airtight containers are made equal. Choosing the right material can make a big difference. Use borosilicate glass jars with silicone seal lids for long-lasting protection. Stainless steel dabbas are naturally moisture-resistant and great for Indian kitchens. Avoid plastic jars with snap lids that do not seal fully. Test airtightness by sealing an empty jar and submerging it in water—if you see bubbles, it is leaking. Also Read: Monsoon Making You Feel Sleepier? 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If they go soft, re-toast on a dry tawa for 30 seconds each side. How To Keep Papads Crisp Roast or fry only right before serving. Store pre-fried ones in airtight jars lined with paper towels, especially in coastal regions. 4. Moisture-Prone Chaats And Puffed Snacks How To Store Bhel Puri Ingredients Always keep puffed rice and chutneys separate. Store puffed rice in an airtight jar with a dry cloth or tissue inside to maintain its crunch. Regional Monsoon Snacks That Stay Crispy Naturally Some traditional snacks are made to withstand moisture—and they deserve a spot in your monsoon pantry. Jackfruit chips from Kerala: Thickly sliced and double-fried, they last longer in coastal humidity. Khakhras from Gujarat: Naturally dry and roasted, they are less prone to sogginess. Besan sev from Madhya Pradesh: Fine strands hold up better when stored correctly. Urad dal papads from Punjab: With low oil and high starch, they stay dry for weeks. These region-specific snacks are not just delicious—they are built for Indian weather. Advertisement About Nikita Nikhil Meet Nikita, a passionate soul with an insatiable love for two things in life: Bollywood and food! When she's not indulging in binge-watching sessions, Nikita can be found behind the lens capturing moments or expressing her creativity through painting. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Monsoon Snacks Monsoon Snack Storage Tips How To Keep Snacks Crispy In Monsoon Show full article
The Print
8 hours ago
- The Print
‘Don't know if they're alive'—migrant workers who escaped Dharali flash flood await news of family
Singh does road work in Harsil and Dharali, the two settlements worst affected by the flash flood. He had come down to Bhatwari with his wife, Kali Devi, after heavy rainfall forced them away from Dharali. On their journey, they heard about the flood and even tried going back, but by then the roads were damaged. 'We don't know if they are alive or dead, that's why we are worried,' said Vir Singh, a labourer from Nepal who has been working with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for the past eight months. 'I came to Bhatwari on 5 August, the day it started raining heavily. But I never thought there would be flooding.' Bhatwari : Migrant workers who escaped the flooding in Dharali are now waiting for a chance to go back, hoping to reunite with their families. With road access completely cut off, some are waiting at the helipad in Bhatwari for any information on survivors of the flash flood. 'I've come here to request authorities to take us back there any way they can,' he said, adding that he had received no information about his family members till now. Phone numbers of both his family members and local residents in the region remain unreachable. Singh has a total of 26 members in his family, including three sons, a daughter-in-law, two nieces and his sister's family. Towns and villages in Uttarakhand close to the Nepal border are popular with migrant workers. 'Even the places where we are supposed to get information about their whereabouts, we couldn't find anything,' he said, adding that he is waiting for the next helicopter to land so he can ask for a lift back to Dharali. Also Read: Dharali never saw the flash floods coming due to a Himalayan problem—lack of data, no warning systems Ambulances on standby At the helipad, ambulances are on standby in case more survivors arrive. A control room in Dehradun is coordinating operations, directing ambulances to different hospitals based on the severity of the injuries. 'We arrived here from Barkot, in Yamuna Valley,' said an emergency responder, adding that ambulances had also come in from Haridwar for the rescue operations. 'We had to take a 25 km bypass since the roads were blocked.' He added that their instructions were to take survivors to the nearby district hospital in Bhatwari for primary care, but any serious injuries would require transportation to the hospitals in Uttarkashi. Over the past two days, a constant stream of helicopters has been ferrying personnel from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) to flash flood-affected areas. According to some estimates, more than 150 survivors have been rescued so far. 'We are fully equipped and trained to provide any emergency care,' said one ambulance operator, who did not wish to be named. 'And of course, once the roads are cleared to Dharali, we will also send a few ambulances there.' The ambulances had been waiting at the site since the early hours of Thursday morning, but by 10 am no survivors had arrived. Road work has been ongoing since the flash flood damaged key points on the routes to affected areas. But until a path is cleared to Dharali and Harsil, including a damaged bridge, helicopters are being relied upon for rescue operations. (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: In flash floods-struck Uttarkashi, rescue ops continue under constant threat of 'more landslides'
