A major landslide on Mansa Devi hill in Haridwar brought train traffic to a complete standstill on Monday, disrupting services along the busy Dehradun–Haridwar railway corridor.
Our Correspondent reports that the incident occurred near the Bhimgoda railway tunnel and Kali Mata temple, when a massive portion of the hillside collapsed, sending rocks and soil cascading down onto the railway track. The force of the slide was so strong that it tore through the iron safety net installed to shield the tracks, leaving the line buried under debris.
Train services were immediately suspended, causing confusion and inconvenience for hundreds of passengers. District administration teams and railway officials rushed to the spot and began clearance operations to restore movement at the earliest.
This marks the second such incident in the area within a month. On 5th August, a landslide had struck the Har Ki Pauri–Bhimgoda stretch, damaging both the road and railway line. CCTV footage from that event showed boulders narrowly missing three men on a motorcycle, who escaped with minor injuries.
Experts note that the Mansa Devi hill region is highly prone to landslides, particularly during the monsoon. Despite the installation of steel guards and protective nets in 2024, the area continues to remain vulnerable to extreme weather events.
Uttarakhand has been battered by incessant rainfall in recent days, leading to widespread landslides and flooding across several districts. Authorities have warned that the risk of further landslides and sudden rises in river levels remains high, leaving both the hills and plains severely disrupted.
