Dehradun is reeling from a sudden cloudburst late Monday night that triggered flash floods, river swells, landslides, and widespread damage. So far, 17 people have died and 16 remain missing, while rescue operations are underway across the worst-hit areas. Our correspondent reports that teams have been deployed round the clock to trace those still unaccounted for.
At around midnight, heavy rainfall was accompanied by a massive cloudburst in the Sahastradhara and Karli Gaad areas. Rivers and streams flooded with destructive force, sweeping away bridges, roads, and houses. In Maldevta and Kesarwala, several structures were damaged or washed away. Our correspondent adds that many families had to be shifted to relief camps after their homes were left unsafe.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred in the Tons River, where ten workers engaged in riverbank mining were swept away. At least eight bodies have been recovered, while two workers are still missing. Our correspondent reports that rescue teams are continuing intensive searches in the swollen river despite difficult conditions.
At the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple, floodwaters entered the premises and nearby markets, though the sanctum remained untouched. Sahastradhara’s Karligad area was badly hit, with multiple houses collapsing under the onrush of water. Our correspondent adds that schools and hotels along Sahastradhara Road have been converted into makeshift shelters for the displaced.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the affected regions and instructed officials to speed up relief and rehabilitation. He stressed that roads must be cleared quickly and essential services such as electricity and drinking water restored without delay.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local administration are engaged in relief efforts. Residents have been advised to stay away from riverbanks as water levels remain dangerously high.
Local citizens recounted harrowing experiences, with many saying the cloudburst struck without warning, leaving little time to react. Some were trapped in their homes, while others saw belongings and livestock carried away in the surge. Officials acknowledged that the casualty numbers may rise as more remote areas become accessible.
