13 dead, 16 missing after rains in Dehradun
Heavy rains in Dehradun leave 13 dead and 16 missing
At least 13 people lost their lives and 16 others went missing after heavy overnight rains caused floods, cloudbursts, landslides, and road blockages in Dehradun and nearby hill areas. The sudden downpour, which began late Monday night, created panic in several parts of the district, forcing hundreds of people to leave their homes and seek safety.
According to officials, the most affected regions were Sahastradhara, Maldevta, and Premnagar, where houses were damaged, rivers overflowed, and debris entered villages and resorts. Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night, bringing stranded residents and tourists to safer places.
District disaster management officer Rishabh Kumar confirmed that 13 people had died and 16 were reported missing, though he warned that the numbers could increase as rescue and relief operations continued.
Rescue teams rush to worst-hit areas
The Uttarakhand government immediately deployed teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Public Works Department (PWD), and police. These teams carried out search and rescue operations in flooded areas, cleared roads, and helped people stranded in remote villages.
In Premnagar, tragedy struck when six labourers working near the Tons river were swept away by the strong current. Six others went missing in the same incident. In Sahastradhara’s Karligarh village, a cloudburst sent massive debris into 23 homes and several resorts. Rescue teams evacuated more than 50 people from the area, including elderly persons and pregnant women.
Other casualties were reported from different places. In Jharipani, a man was killed after debris crashed onto his home. At Green Valley PG hostel near DIT College, a student was buried under debris when a wall collapsed. In Bhagat Singh Colony, one resident was washed away in the rainwater. Two people went missing near Rajpur Shikhar Fall, while another victim drowned near Tapkeshwar temple. In Jajred (Kalsi tehsil), a man died after boulders rolled down onto him.
The popular hill station Mussoorie also faced widespread destruction. Heavy rains washed away roads and blocked all connecting routes between Mussoorie and Dehradun, including those through Jharipani, Chunakhala, and Kimadi. Roads leading to Yamuna bridge, Vikasnagar, Rishikesh, and Uttarkashi were also closed due to landslides.
To support tourists stranded in Mussoorie, the local hotel association announced that all its members would provide free accommodation until roads were cleared. “Our priority is the safety of visitors who cannot travel back home,” said Sanjay Agarwal, the association’s president.
Government and Centre step in
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday. Both leaders assured full support from the Centre, saying that the government stood firmly with the people of Uttarakhand in this time of crisis.
Mussoorie sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Rahul Anand confirmed that another labourer was killed after being struck by debris on Monday night. He said a Bailey bridge was being brought from Rishikesh to replace a collapsed stretch near Shiv Mandir, which had cut off road access. “Restoring connectivity is a top priority,” Anand said.
Dehradun district magistrate (DM) Savin Bansal and senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ajai Singh visited Sahastradhara and other affected areas. They met families who had been displaced and shifted to temporary shelters in schools. “All departments under the disaster response system have been fully activated,” DM Bansal said. He also highlighted that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an alert for more rainfall in the coming days.
SSP Singh added that the police were closely monitoring blocked roads and diverting traffic where needed. He also confirmed that a culvert on the Dehradun–Haridwar highway was partially damaged at Laltappar, forcing authorities to divert vehicles via Bhaniyawala and Nepali Farm. He appealed to residents to stay away from rivers, streams, and other danger zones.
Residents struggle but show resilience
While the sudden disaster shocked residents, many showed resilience and supported one another. Neighbours helped evacuate families from damaged houses, and shopkeepers opened their doors to stranded people. Volunteers distributed food, blankets, and essential supplies to those taking shelter in schools and community halls.
Hundreds of families were forced to abandon their homes, not knowing when they could return. In Sahastradhara, locals described how the debris storm came “like a river of stones and mud,” leaving houses unlivable. Pregnant women, children, and elderly people were carried out on stretchers by rescue teams.
Authorities said restoring road links and clearing landslide debris would take time because of continuous rainfall. Electricity and water supply were also affected in some areas, adding to the challenges.
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Looking ahead
Officials warned that the situation could remain dangerous as more rainfall is expected in the coming days. The IMD issued fresh alerts for parts of Uttarakhand, including Dehradun and Mussoorie, urging people to remain cautious.
For now, the focus remains on finding those still missing, helping the injured, and repairing broken infrastructure. Relief camps are being run in schools and community centres to provide shelter, food, and medical help.
Despite the destruction, stories of bravery and solidarity continue to emerge. From rescue workers risking their lives in flooded rivers to locals offering free shelter and food to strangers, the tragedy has once again shown the spirit of Uttarakhand’s people in the face of natural disasters.
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