
12 feared dead in Uttarakhand rain-related accident
12 feared dead in Uttarakhand accident as heavy rain triggers hill havoc
- By Gurmehar --
- Friday, 27 Jun, 2025
Uttarakhand witnessed two tragic accidents on Thursday, June 26, 2025, as continuous rainfall caused dangerous road conditions in the hilly regions of the state. At least 12 people are feared dead, while many others were injured in two separate road mishaps — one in Rudraprayag district and the other in Dehradun district. Officials have launched major rescue operations to recover the missing and provide medical care to the injured.
Bus falls Into Alaknanda River
The first and most severe accident occurred in the Gholtir area of Rudraprayag district early in the morning around 7:50 am. A 31-seater bus carrying 20 passengers was heading from Rudraprayag to Badrinath, a famous pilgrimage site, when it lost control and plunged into the fast-flowing Alaknanda river.
According to the local police, at least three people have been confirmed dead so far, and nine others are missing. Rescue officials fear that the missing passengers are likely dead due to the dangerous river current and depth. The deceased have been identified as Vishal Soni (42) and Gauri Soni (41), both from Rajgarh in Madhya Pradesh, and Dreamy (17), a young girl from Surat, Gujarat.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Akshay Prahlad Konde said that initial investigations suggest driver negligence or a mechanical failure may have caused the accident. Although the bus driver claimed that a speeding truck coming from the opposite direction hit the vehicle and caused it to fall, officials are also examining if poor vehicle maintenance was a factor. An FIR has been filed under various sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for negligence and endangering lives.
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) media in-charge Vineet Devrani reported that eight passengers were thrown out of the bus before it submerged into the river. Local residents, fire department teams, and SDRF personnel quickly arrived at the accident site to carry out the rescue operation. The injured were brought up from the riverbank to the roadside and immediately taken to the district hospital in Rudraprayag.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Ram Prakash confirmed that four of the injured were in critical condition. They have been identified as Deepika Soni (42), Hemlata Soni (45), Ishwar Soni (46), and the bus driver Sumit Kumar (23). All four were airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for advanced treatment.
Bus driver Sumit Kumar, while recovering from his injuries, said in his statement, “A speeding truck came from the opposite side and hit us on my side of the bus. I lost control, and the bus fell into the Alaknanda.” However, officials say that further investigation is needed to verify this claim.
The authorities are continuing their search in the Alaknanda river for the nine missing persons. The flow of the river has made rescue efforts difficult, and weather conditions remain unstable, further complicating the situation.
Car plunges into gorge in Dehradun
In a second tragic incident on the same day, three people died and one was seriously injured after a car rolled off a 300-foot-deep gorge near Jajret village in the Kalsi area of Dehradun district. The accident occurred when the vehicle, travelling on a slippery road due to rain, lost control and fell into the Amlava river.
According to Kalsi police station in-charge Deepak Dhariwal, police and SDRF teams rushed to the site as soon as they received the alert. They had to work in challenging terrain to recover the bodies and rescue the injured person, who is now receiving treatment in a hospital.
The identities of the deceased in the Dehradun accident have not been released publicly yet, but police say that the victims appear to be local residents who were travelling through the region. The cause of the accident is under investigation, though poor weather and road conditions are likely contributing factors.
Both accidents have raised concerns about safety on Uttarakhand’s hill roads, especially during the rainy season. The state’s hilly terrain, combined with heavy rainfall, often leads to landslides, flash floods, and fatal accidents. In recent years, such incidents have become increasingly common, especially during the monsoon months when roads become slippery and visibility is low.
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Officials have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel in the hilly regions during this time of year. Drivers are being advised to be extra cautious, especially while navigating sharp bends and narrow roads. Emergency services in Uttarakhand, including the police, SDRF, and local health departments, are on high alert during this season.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and promised all possible support to the injured. He directed district officials to ensure swift medical assistance and ordered a detailed probe into both accidents.
The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has also been informed about the incidents, and the state government is likely to review road safety measures in high-risk areas. There may be new guidelines or restrictions for vehicles carrying pilgrims and tourists on routes like the Char Dham Yatra, especially during bad weather conditions.
The tragic events of June 26, 2025, are a painful reminder of the challenges faced in hill states like Uttarakhand. As more tourists and pilgrims visit these areas each year, the pressure on local infrastructure continues to grow. Ensuring the safety of passengers on mountain roads must remain a top priority for both the state and central governments.
In conclusion, the twin tragedies in Rudraprayag and Dehradun highlight the urgent need for improved vehicle safety checks, better road maintenance, stricter traffic rules, and weather-based travel advisories in Uttarakhand. The lives lost in these accidents leave behind grieving families and raise important questions about road safety in India’s hill states.