Rain havoc in Mussoorie
By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 30 Aug: Continuous rainfall since late last night in Mussoorie has once again heightened public anxiety. Amidst the rain, another major landslide has occurred in the ‘Pani Wala Bend’ area along the Mussoorie-Dehradun road. A large section of the hillside collapsed, endangering the houses situated above it. Panic has gripped the area following the landslide, and residents now fear a major disaster.
Recent images from ‘Pani Wala Bend’ are deeply concerning. Amidst heavy rain, a significant portion of the hillside slid downwards. Houses are situated directly above the site of the landslide. Consequently, if the rain persists and the remaining section of the hill weakens further, the possibility of a major accident cannot be ruled out.
According to local resident Deepak Rawat, the soil in the area has already been weakened by continuous rainfall. Cracks and signs of erosion are visible across the hillside, further escalating the danger.
The ‘Pani Wala Bend’ area is already considered highly vulnerable to landslides. Massive landslides occurred here during the severe rains and disaster of 16 September 2025. At that time, roads, houses, restaurants, and other properties suffered extensive damage, with large-scale destruction caused by debris and boulders. Additionally, in July 2026, a restaurant in the same area was buried under debris following a landslide triggered by continuous rain. It is evident that this entire region remains under constant threat during the monsoon season. Continuous rainfall has increased the risk of the hillside’s soil and rocks becoming unstable. Consequently, local residents are demanding that the administration and relevant departments immediately inspect the affected area and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of the houses situated above. Residents argue that merely clearing debris from the road is insufficient; the stability of the hillside must be assessed, and measures such as constructing retaining walls and other protective structures should be implemented to avert a major disaster in the future. For now, images from the ‘Pani Wala Bend’ raise a critical question: even after learning lessons from the 2025 disaster, has this vulnerable hillside truly been made safe?
