Cloudburst Tragedy in Dehradun
A night of relentless rain triggered floods, landslides, and infrastructure damage across Uttarakhand, leaving at least 15 people dead, including 13 fatalities in Dehradun.
The state government has issued a red alert for Dehradun, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar, warning of extremely heavy rainfall and the potential for more casualties through September 20.
Heavy Damage in Dehradun
- Dehradun bore the brunt of the downpour.
- A cloudburst destroyed homes and shops, swept away roads, and collapsed two major bridges, cutting off key routes.
- A large section of the Dehradun–Vikasnagar National Highway was washed away.
- Another bridge at Nanda Ki Chowki in Prem Nagar also collapsed, halting traffic in both directions.
- Widespread power outages have been reported.
Rescue and Safety Measures
According to Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, over 900 residents have been rescued from affected areas, including Sahastradhara, Mussoorie, Prem Nagar, Narendra Nagar (Tehri), and parts of Pithoragarh, Nainital, and Pauri.
In anticipation of continued heavy rain, the Dehradun District Magistrate has ordered the closure of schools for Classes 1 to 12 as a safety precaution.
Major Routes Disrupted
Movement along the Dehradun–Haridwar National Highway has been severely affected due to damage to bridges near Fun Valley and Uttarakhand Dental College.
Floodwaters also surged through the popular tourist spot Sahastradhara, inundating several shops and hotels.
