India, Aug. 29 -- Heavy rains and cloudbursts battered Uttarakhand early Friday, unleashing landslides that damaged houses, trapped villagers, and blocked highways across Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Tehri districts.

In Chamoli's Mopata village, a house and cowshed were buried under debris, trapping a couple identified as Tara Singh and his wife. Another couple, Vikram Singh and his wife, were injured, District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed.

Rudraprayag's Basukedaar area witnessed widespread destruction in several villages. In Dungar and Jaula-Bhadeth, residents went missing after being swept away by landslides and floods. A house in Syur village was damaged and a car washed away, while flooded ravines posed threats to villages includ...