Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 30 Aug: Traffic on the Mussoorie-Dehradun road came to a standstill on Sunday due to a massive landslide near ‘Pani Wala Bend’ amidst continuous rainfall in Mussoorie. Large quantities of debris and boulders tumbled onto the road from the hillside, blocking the route and causing long queues of vehicles to form on both sides.
Upon receiving news of the landslide, a Public Works Department (PWD) team arrived at the scene with a JCB and began clearing the debris and large boulders. After about an hour of strenuous effort, the road was cleared and reopened for traffic. Once the route was opened, vehicles stuck in the jam were gradually cleared, and efforts were made to normalise traffic flow.
However, the risk of further landslides remains, as debris continues to fall from the hillside amidst the ongoing rain. The sudden influx of a large volume of debris onto the road created an atmosphere of panic among pedestrians and motorists. Locals state that, given the recurring landslides in the ‘Pani Wala Bend’ area, there is a need for permanent safety measures.
Meanwhile, the road closure caused inconvenience for about an hour to locals, tourists, and other motorists traveling between Mussoorie and Dehradun. A police team was also present at the site, working to manage the traffic.
In view of the continuous rain and landslide situation, the administration and relevant departmental teams are keeping a close watch on the area. People have also been urged to avoid stopping unnecessarily in vulnerable hilly areas during the rain and to drive cautiously.
