Rains disrupt life in Dehradun and Mussoorie, 7 rescued from swollen river
By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 20 Jul: Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for Dehradun today predicting heavy rains. Rain continued through the day intermittently, sometimes in form of drizzle and sometimes as downpour. Rains have led to waterlogging and flood in various areas of the district while also leading to road subsidence on Doon- Mussoorie Road. Following the reports of road subsidence and landslides along Mussoorie Road, the district administration, this evening, ordered closure of the Dehradun-Mussoorie Road till further orders. Several videos of landslides from different parts of the region were in circulation today, adding to the concern. Relief and rescue operations also were undertaken. In one incident seven persons stranded on an island in Santla Devi area were rescued safely by a joint operation of Dehradun Police, SDRF and Fire Services late last night. The city control room had received information that people were trapped near Santla Devi temple as the river’s water level rose suddenly. Fire Station Dehradun teams rushed to the spot and, with the help of ropes, throw bags and other equipment, all seven were brought out safely. Those rescued included Sushil, Mukesh, Prem Kumar, Roshan Gupta, Rajesh, Pawan and Suraj, residents of Seema Dwar and nearby localities.
In addition, reports have reached of road subsidence on Doon Mussoorie Road near Kohukhet. Persistent showers have caused a portion of the Mussoorie–Dehradun Road near Kolhukhet Paniwala Bend to sink, leaving deep cracks across the surface. Although traffic has been allowed to continue till this afternoon, the condition of the road poses a serious risk of further collapse if the rains persist. Keeping this in view, the administration has ordered closure of the road between Dehradun and Mussoorie till further orders. Local residents have urged the authorities to carry out permanent repairs at the earliest to prevent any untoward incident. Smaller landslides have also been reported in several parts of Mussoorie, raising concerns among residents and inconveniencing tourists. The drop in temperature during mornings and evenings has added to the chill, while markets have seen reduced activity and construction work has come to a halt.
In Dehradun, the IT Park and Rajpur Road once again turned into waterlogged stretches resembling ponds, with the seasonal stream flowing across the road at high speed. Smaller streams and drains across the city were seen overflowing, while the water levels of Bindal and Rispana rose sharply. The Meteorological Department reported an average of 39.05 mm rainfall in the district over the past 24 hours, with Maldevta recording the highest at 103.5 mm, once again highlighting its vulnerability. Hathibarkala received 95 mm, Kalsi 45 mm, Mohkampur 23.2 mm, Jolly Grant 20 mm, Vikasnagar 15.5 mm, Mussoorie 5.2 mm and Rishikesh 5 mm, while Tyuni remained dry. Chakarata, Sahastradhara and Koti also witnessed considerable showers.
The heaviest impact was seen on the Maldevta–Silla motor road, where a massive landslide at kilometre 6.125 on Sunday night blocked the route completely with debris, halting movement of locals and travellers. District administration and Public Works Department teams rushed to the site with machinery, and JCBs worked overnight to clear the road. By this morning, traffic was restored and movement normalised. Officials stated that sensitive roads are under continuous monitoring given the persistent rainfall, to ensure immediate response in case of emergencies.
The district administration has issued a strict advisory urging people to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly near rivers, streams and landslide-prone zones. Travellers on mountain routes have been advised to check weather updates before setting out. Authorities clarified that while major roads remain open, sudden changes in weather could alter the situation, and people must adhere to advisories issued by the Meteorological Department and administration.
In view of the forecast of heavy rainfall across the state, the government has activated its entire machinery. On the Chief Minister’s instructions, Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman visited the State Emergency Operations Centre to review conditions in all the districts. He examined weather predictions, road connectivity, river water levels, landslide-prone areas and relief resources, and directed all district magistrates and departments to remain on 24-hour alert. Disaster control rooms at district and tehsil levels have been asked to stay fully active, with instructions to dispatch relief and rescue teams immediately upon receiving any information.
