Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have been struck by another intense spell of rainfall, resulting in widespread destruction and claiming the lives of at least 18 people. The hill states, already reeling from previous monsoon-related calamities, are facing immense challenges as heavy downpours triggered flash floods and landslides.
Doon Valley was particularly hard-hit, with at least 13 fatalities reported in rain-related incidents within Dehradun district. Sixteen people remain missing as of September 16, 2025, after torrential rains washed away bridges and markets and damaged crucial roads. Sahastradhara and Maldevta, popular tourist spots on the outskirts of Dehradun, were among the worst-affected areas. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) evacuated approximately 70 villagers from Sahastradhara, where debris swept away the main market, destroying numerous shops. Landslides have significantly damaged the Sahastradhara-Karligad motor road in at least nine locations. The Song River's raging waters washed away parts of the road at Maldevta, effectively cutting off access to the area.
Reports from the district disaster management office and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that Sahastradhara received 264 mm of rainfall within 24 hours, with most of it occurring around midnight, creating a cloudburst-like situation. Heavy rainfall caused substantial damage to all roads leading to Mussoorie, isolating the town. Landslides blocked and washed away sections of the Mussoorie-Dehradun road near Shiv Mandir and Kolhukhet. The alternative route connecting Dehradun to Mussoorie via Kimadi was also blocked by landslides. Authorities estimated that nearly 3,000-4,000 tourists were stranded in Mussoorie.
In Himachal Pradesh, three members of a family died due to landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rains. In Mandi district, a landslide in the Boi panchayat of the Nehri area caused a house to collapse, resulting in the deaths. The rains also caused floods in the Son and Bharand streams in Dharampur, damaging a bus stand, workshop, pump houses, shops, and over 20 buses.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an on-site inspection of the affected areas in Maldevta and Kesarwala, directing officials to expedite relief and rescue operations and assuring residents of all possible assistance. He noted that excessive rainfall had caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, and government property across the state.
The Ganga and Yamuna rivers in Uttarakhand are flowing close to the warning level, while the water level of the Tamsa River has neared the danger mark. The Tamsa River rapidly swelled, inundating the Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple and submerging the Hanuman statue near its entrance.
In response to the crisis, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been actively involved in rescue operations. In Dehradun, NDRF teams rescued 497 students stranded at Dev Bhoomi College in Premnagar due to flooding. Additionally, they rescued a child trapped in the Swarna River at Tharkurpur, Premnagar. The SDRF also rescued 70 people in Dehradun after a cloudburst blocked several roads in the Karligad area.
The recent heavy rains and subsequent flooding have resulted in significant infrastructure damage and economic losses. Preliminary estimates suggest losses amounting to several crores. Restoration works are underway, with efforts focused on repairing damaged roads and bridges and restoring traffic. The PWD minister Satpal Maharaj said that a valley bridge was being constructed to smoothen traffic movement after the bridge near Shiv Mandir on Mussoorie-Dehradun road had been damaged.
