A deadly cloudburst late Monday night wreaked havoc in Dehradun and neighbouring areas, leaving at least 10 people dead, 8 missing, and over 300 rescued in urgent operations. Torrential rains triggered flash floods that swept away houses, shops, hotels, and even bridges, cutting off vital connectivity across the district. The worst-hit regions included Sahastradhara, Maldevta, and Mussoorie, where gushing waters and landslides caused severe destruction of commercial establishments, government infrastructure, and residential areas. Officials warned that more people may still be trapped as overnight rainfall destabilized slopes, forcing evacuations and large-scale rescue efforts.
Teams from SDRF and NDRF worked through the night, battling high currents and blocked routes to save stranded residents. Tragic reports emerged from multiple areas: four people swept away near Shikhar Fall, two workers buried in a Mussoorie landslide, and eight labourers missing in Jhajra after the Asan River swallowed a tractor and scooter. In Vikasnagar, falling rocks killed one commuter, while nearly 200 students trapped at the Devbhoomi Institute were rescued after floodwaters cut off access. Meanwhile, Dehradun’s IT Park and low-lying areas such as Mohini Road and Bhagat Singh Colony were inundated, with water entering homes, basements, and offices. Locals described scenes of panic as vehicles were submerged overnight and entire neighbourhoods disappeared under waterlogging.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected the flood-hit zones and assured full state support for relief and rehabilitation. He instructed departments to clear blocked highways, restore power and water supplies, and maintain close monitoring of rising rivers including the Song and Chandrabhaga. Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear debris while teams continue a “war footing” search for the missing. Dhami said the government is coordinating with district magistrates across Uttarakhand to ensure swift action as thousands remain at risk. For residents, the disaster has revived painful reminders of the state’s fragile geography, where intense monsoon rains often trigger deadly floods and landslides — a warning that climate resilience is now an urgent necessity.
