A sudden landslide in Uttarakhand’s Kuntari Lagaphali village on September 19, 2025, has left the hill region in mourning. The landslide, triggered by a sudden surge of water from the mountain peak, swept through Kuntari and nearby settlements including Sau-Tanola and Kuntari Laga Sarpani, destroying homes and lives. Among the worst tragedies was the heartbreaking story of Kanta Devi, 38, who was found dead beneath the debris clutching her 10-year-old twin sons. Her final embrace reflected the courage and love of a mother protecting her children even in the face of disaster. All three were among five people who lost their lives that night.
From my perspective, this event is a stark reminder of the fragility of life in mountain regions and the devastating impact of sudden natural disasters. While rescue operations continue, stories like Kanta Devi’s highlight not only human vulnerability but also the immense courage displayed during catastrophes. Her husband, Kunwar Singh, survived after being trapped for 16 hours, yet his survival was overshadowed by the loss of his family and home. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) worked tirelessly for 32 hours, digging through tons of rubble and mud with cutter machines, hoping to save lives.
The landslide has rendered many homes uninhabitable. In Sau-Tanola, eight families from Scheduled Castes lost their houses, and in Sarpani, houses that were considered safe were completely destroyed, burying residents alive. Roads remain blocked with mud, stones, and debris, making relief efforts challenging. Villagers returning from rescue camps were met not with relief, but with devastation and sorrow, seeing their homes flattened and their lives irreversibly changed.
Several survivors shared their experiences of loss and helplessness. Subedar Major Dilbar Singh Rawat lost his wife in the landslide and described the disbelief felt by all villagers, who never imagined that floodwaters could cascade from the mountain peak and destroy seemingly safe homes. Sangeeta Devi, a widow surviving with her daughter through small-scale farming, said her life was “shattered in one night.” Chandrakala Sati, the former village head, recounted the terrifying rain and explosions at midnight, followed by entire neighbourhoods being wiped out by morning.
The tragedy also exposes weaknesses in planning and development. Many locals believe that unplanned construction, improper disposal of debris, and deforestation intensified the disaster. Rain-washed debris compounded the destruction, sweeping away homes and livelihoods. Narendra Singh, who lost his life while warning others, exemplified the bravery of villagers risking everything to save neighbours. But experts and residents alike argue that better disaster management, stricter regulation of construction in hill areas, and proper drainage systems could prevent some of the damage in future events.
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From an opinion standpoint, natural disasters like this landslide serve as a painful reminder of the need for preparedness and sustainable development in mountainous regions. While rainfall and landslides cannot be completely controlled, their impact can be reduced by enforcing building regulations, improving early warning systems, and maintaining riverbanks and slopes. Communities in Uttarakhand, and across hill regions in India, remain vulnerable to similar calamities unless development plans account for the fragile ecosystem.
The aftermath has left Kuntari Lagaphali and nearby villages desolate. Families have been separated forever, homes destroyed, and survivors are grappling with uncertainty about the future. Relief teams continue their work, but the emotional and material loss will be felt for years. For many, the disaster is also a call for accountability, asking why unplanned development and neglect of natural water channels worsened the tragedy.
In conclusion, the Uttarakhand landslide is a tragic reminder of nature’s power and the human cost of environmental neglect. The story of Kanta Devi and her children will remain a symbol of a mother’s final act of love in the face of overwhelming disaster. Going forward, policymakers, local authorities, and communities must work together to improve safety, ensure responsible development, and strengthen disaster preparedness, so that lives can be protected even when nature unleashes its fury.
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