The recent torrential rains in Dehradun have resulted in a devastating tragedy, with the death toll currently at 20 and 13 people still missing. The intense rainfall triggered cloudbursts, floods, landslides, and severe erosion across the region, causing widespread destruction.
The worst-hit areas include Sahastradhara, Maldevta, and Premnagar. In Premnagar, six laborers tragically died, and six others remain missing after being swept away by the swollen Tons river. In Sahastradhara's Karligarh village, a cloudburst led to debris entering at least 23 homes and several resorts. Approximately 50 people, including elderly individuals and pregnant women, were rescued from this area. Other casualties were reported in Jharipani, Green Valley PG hostel near DIT college, Bhagat Singh Colony, Rajpur Shikhar Fall, and Tapkeshwar temple.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Public Works Department (PWD), and police working to locate the missing and provide aid to those affected. However, damaged roads and disrupted access are hindering rescue efforts. Three state highways and 30 rural roads were blocked. The district administration has relocated 168 affected residents, including 60 from Karligad, 32 from Seragaon, and 76 from Kulhan. District officials have also conducted field inspections in Maldevta. Ration packets were airdropped via chopper to several affected villages in Maldevta, including Phulait, Sarkhet, Chhamroli, Silla, and Kyara.
The Dehradun–Mussoorie road, a crucial link connecting the hill town to the state capital, has suffered severe damage, with parts of it washed away. Landslides have blocked all major access routes from Mussoorie to Dehradun, including the Jharipani, Chunakhala, and Kimadi roads, further isolating the affected areas. Nearly 3,000 tourists were stranded in Mussoorie.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have spoken with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, assuring full central assistance and reiterating the Centre's support for Uttarakhand during this crisis.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the next four days. The forecast indicates the possibility of light to moderate rain or thundershowers in many places across Dehradun, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar districts, and at a few places in the remaining districts of Uttarakhand.
This recent tragedy marks the deadliest single-day toll in the region since April, when around 20 people had already died in rain-related incidents. As rescue and relief operations continue, efforts are focused on locating the missing, providing aid to stranded residents, and restoring vital infrastructure.