A powerful cloudburst in Dehradun caused by heavy rainfall in the early hours of Tuesday has led to widespread destruction and left two people missing. The sudden downpour washed away cars, damaged shops, and destroyed several houses in the affected areas, forcing authorities to evacuate residents to safer locations. Rescue teams immediately swung into action, but the situation remains tense as efforts are still underway to trace the missing individuals.
As soon as the incident was reported, District Magistrate Savin Bansal, SDM Kumkum Joshi, and other senior officials rushed to the site to assess the extent of damage. The District Magistrate directed rescue authorities to expedite search and rescue operations. Teams from the NDRF, SDRF, PWD, and local administration are on the ground, working relentlessly with bulldozers and other heavy machinery to clear debris and restore normalcy.
In light of the severe weather, the District Magistrate ordered the closure of all schools from Class 1 to 12 across Dehradun, prioritizing the safety of students. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assured residents that he is in constant communication with local authorities and is personally monitoring the situation. He acknowledged that shops in the Sahastradhara area had been badly damaged, but emphasized that relief and rescue operations are being conducted on a war footing by the district administration, SDRF, and police.
The heavy rainfall has also caused rivers to swell dangerously. In Rishikesh, the Chandrabhaga River overflowed, flooding nearby highways and leaving three people stranded in the rising waters. Thankfully, a swift response from the SDRF ensured their safe rescue. Elsewhere in Uttarakhand, a massive landslide in Pithoragarh district has disrupted road connectivity, leading to severe traffic jams. Authorities are working to clear the debris and reopen the route as soon as possible.
This incident adds to the string of natural disasters Uttarakhand has faced this monsoon, including cloudbursts and landslides across Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pauri, Bageshwar, and Nainital. According to official figures, since April, natural calamities have claimed 85 lives, left 128 injured, and 94 people missing across the state. The scale of destruction has put immense pressure on rescue and relief agencies operating in difficult terrain.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Dehradun on September 11 to review ongoing rescue and relief efforts. During his visit, he announced a relief package of ₹1,200 crore for disaster-affected areas and assured that additional assistance would be provided after detailed assessments by an inter-ministerial team. He also declared compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of deceased victims and ₹50,000 for those injured.
The Prime Minister further announced that children orphaned by the recent floods and landslides would be supported under the PM CARES for Children scheme, ensuring comprehensive care and financial support for their future. While in Dehradun, PM Modi interacted with NDRF and SDRF personnel, along with disaster volunteers, acknowledging their bravery and tireless service during these calamities.
The repeated natural disasters in Uttarakhand this year highlight the increasing vulnerability of the Himalayan state to extreme weather conditions. As rescue operations continue in Dehradun and other affected districts, officials remain on high alert, with relief efforts being scaled up to safeguard lives and property.
