Uttarakhand: Overnight heavy rainfall causes devastation in Dehradun, 5 killed, more than 15 missing

Overnight heavy rains in the Uttarakhand state capital, Dehradun, on Tuesday caused massive devastation, leaving nearly five people dead and several missing. Rescue operations were launched by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local public, police, and the fire brigade as hundreds were stranded in different places in the town.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to review the situation following a massive cloudburst in the Sahastradhara region of Dehradun.

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“They assured all possible assistance to the state and stated that the central government stands firmly with the state in this hour of disaster,” a statement from the Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Office said.

CM Dhami apprised Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah of the relief operations. “The Chief Minister informed that the administrative machinery is fully active in the affected areas, and rescue and relief operations are being carried out on a war footing,” the statement added.

More than five people died, and several went missing in the overnight heavy rainfall in Dehradun that resulted in swelling of the river, causing massive destruction mainly on the fringes of Dehradun. Four bodies were recovered by the rescuers at different locations during the day, while three people were reportedly buried under the debris at Karligard and Majda Village near the Sahastradhara tourist centre of the town.

According to the State Disaster Management Department, at least three houses and a few resorts were buried under the debris, while 2-3 houses crumbled down and were washed away in the floodwaters.

Besides this, more than 15 people were reportedly missing as they were washed away in the river. Among the missing were eight workers, as their tractor trolley, trapped in the swollen River Asan, a tributary of the Yamuna on the western flank of Dehradun, overturned due to rising water level. Of the total ten people on the trolley, two were rescued safely by the SDRF.

A bulletin issued by the disaster management department said that seven rain-inflicted incidents, including one at Shahastradhara, were reported from different parts of the state capital due to heavy rainfall on Monday night.
One person died, while another went missing from a house buried under debris owing to a landslide at the Jharipani area.

One body was retrieved by the SDRF from nearby DIT College on Dehradun-Mussoorie Road as the victim was swept away by a nearby monsoon rivulet. Another person was swept away by the ferociously rising water in the Tamsa River at Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, a popular tourist destination. Apart from this, one body, stuck under the bridge, was taken out by the local public at Bhagat Singh Colony, and another man died after being hit by falling boulders in the Kalsi area.

Besides this, more than 500 stranded people were rescued safely from different parts of the capital and taken to safer locations. This included more than 200 students of a private college, located outside the city in the Sahaspur block.

The Dehradun district administration has asked the tourists staying in Mussoorie not to come down to Dehradun, as the connecting roads were breached at several places. Public announcements were made for the tourists in Mussoorie that they must remain at their places till further information is received.

Expressing his concern over rain-related disasters in Dehradun, Chief Minister Dhami said, “Got the unfortunate news of several shops in Dehradun’s Sahastradhara area damaged due to heavy rains last night. The district administration, SDRF, and the police have arrived at the scene and are actively involved in relief and rescue works. I am in continuous contact with the local authorities. l am personally monitoring the situation and praying for the safety and well-being of everyone.”

Local MLA and cabinet minister Ganesh Joshi stated that Dehradun was hit by an unprecedented rain disaster due to massive rainfall last night. Rescue teams were able to take out stranded people safely. He said the state government is standing fully behind the people of Dehradun, and no effort will be spared to save the lives of the people.