Torrential rains on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday wreaked havoc in the Sahastradhara area of Dehradun, leaving two people missing and causing extensive damage to hotels, shops and other structures.
District administration officials confirmed that residents from vulnerable locations were evacuated late at night as a precautionary measure. A source indicated that the two missing persons are likely safe but efforts are underway to trace them. Authorities are awaiting technical data to determine whether the incident was triggered by a cloudburst or by extremely heavy rainfall.
“The roads are blocked but teams are working to restore access. Locals have claimed a cloudburst, but we are verifying the facts. A few shops have been swept away, but there has been no reported loss of life,” said district disaster management officer Rishabh Kumar.
Debris washed into the main market, damaging several commercial establishments, including two small hotels. Rescue teams from the SDRF and fire department were unable to reach the site immediately due to road blockages. Heavy debris was also spotted near the IT Park area, while visuals of rain damage across the city have flooded social media platforms.
Authorities closed schools across Dehradun for the day and issued a red alert until 9 am. Residents near riverbanks have been advised to remain cautious, with the Tamsa, Tons and Song rivers flowing above normal levels. The approach bridge at Maldevta was washed away during the night, cutting off access to the area.
The Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple was also hit by the heavy downpour, with rubble covering much of the premises and furniture swept away by water currents. Reports of similar damage have emerged from nearby Rishikesh and Mussoorie towns as well.
Rescue and relief operations are continuing in affected areas, with officials monitoring the situation closely.