A tragic incident in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, has claimed the lives of four individuals, including a newborn, after the car they were traveling in plunged into a canal. The accident occurred on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in the Kotwali area, behind the fire brigade office, as reported by police officials.
The family was en route home to Kitchha after the delivery of their newborn at a hospital in Haldwani. The vehicle reportedly lost control and veered off the road, falling into an overflowing irrigation canal. Initial reports suggest that the car overturned upon hitting the water and was carried a short distance before getting stuck near a culvert. This caused the vehicle to rapidly fill with water, trapping the occupants inside.
Of the seven people in the car, four were declared dead at the scene, including the infant, two women, and a man. The three injured individuals were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The current condition of those injured is said to be critical.
Rescue operations were immediately launched by police and fire brigade personnel after receiving news of the accident. The vehicle was eventually retrieved from the canal. Firefighters and local police broke the windshield to recover the bodies of the deceased and rescue the injured.
The accident occurred amidst persistent heavy rainfall in the region. Continuous rainfall has caused mudslides and landslips, disrupting traffic on the Almora-Haldwani National Highway (NH). Just a day prior to the accident, the highway near the Kwarab region was blocked due to heavy mud deposits, leaving commuters stranded for hours.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences via social media, praying for the swift recovery of the injured. He also urged residents to exercise caution and stay informed about weather developments as the monsoon season continues to impact the region.
This tragedy underscores the critical need to address road safety, especially during challenging weather conditions. Authorities are closely monitoring landslide-prone areas and advising travelers to remain cautious.
