Uttarakhand rains: Cloudburst triggers heavy rains and flash floods in Dehradun; CM visits affected places

Uttarakhand has been receiving heavy rainfall for the last few weeks, resulting in floods, loss of human lives and property. Overnight downpour at several places including Dehradun adversely impacted infrastructure. Visuals showing damaged roads, houses and shops, and washed out a bridge early were reported.

Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman told news agency PTI, that damage were observed at areas like Sahastradhara and Mal Devta in Dehradun, and also from Mussoorie. He further stated that at least two people have been missing in Dehradun, while a death has been reported from Mussoorie and is being verified.

Teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations in the affected areas, while 300 to 400 people have been moved to safety, he said.

Waterlogging in Tehri left people stranded at Geeta Bhawan, Suman said, adding that they were rescued. Also, a road in Nainital has been blocked by debris brought by a landslide triggered by heavy rain.

Residents of Majhara village were on the road, having survived what they called a landslide that hit their dwellings early in the morning. They claimed that some people have gone missing.

An area being washed away after heavy rains triggered a cloudburst, in Dehradun.

The Centre has assured assistance to the flood-hit regions. PM Narendra Modi has reportedly dialed Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Earlier, in a high-level meeting, the prime minister announced a financial aid of Rs 1,200 crore for relief and rehabilitation in the state. He also declared an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

People look at a caved-in portion of a bridge after heavy rains triggered a cloudburst, near Maldevta in Dehradun.

Meanwhile, CM Dhami, who is visiting the flood-hit areas in the state along with local MLAs and senior officials, said that the district administration, SDRF, and police have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations.

"The state government stands with every affected family. The administration is already on alert mode and the NDRF, SDRF, police and local administration are constantly active," the chief minister said.

"I am constantly in touch with the local administration in this regard and am personally monitoring the situation. I pray to God for everyone's safety," he said in a post in Hindi on X.

Heavy rains caused the Song River to swell, flooding the nearby areas. Tamsa river in spate and Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple inundated as heavy rainfall lashes Dehradun. The Chandrabhaga river also reported similar conditions as heavy rains reached Rishikesh, following which SDRF personnel rescue a stranded vehicle from here.

Speaking to PTI Videos, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Sadar, Hari Giri, said, "The water level is rising, and the flow is very strong right now. No deaths have been reported so far. Tourists were staying in the hotels."

Waterlogging has been reported in Dehradun's IT Park area, with water entering many offices, leaving people stranded.

"I have been stranded here since 5:30am. There is a lot of water. The car here has been stuck since last night and is submerged. Water has entered offices and basements," said Hrithik Sharma, a local.