Heavy rain triggers landslides in Dehradun amid red alert; at least 5 swept away as rivers swell

Multiple rescue operations are underway by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), as well as teams from the Public Works Department (PWD), even as schools remain closed.

The SDRF is working to rescue over 100 people trapped in various areas of the city. At least 30 people are trapped in Raipur’s Panchkuli, and 500 people are being evacuated to safer areas at Shri Dev Bhoomi Institute in Premnagar.

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In Sahastradhara’s Karligad, several shops were washed away in the downpour. Officials with the district administration said residents were evacuated to safe locations during the night.

In Tapkeshwar, one person was swept away by the waters while a few others who were stranded were rescued by the SDRF. At DIT College on Rajpur Road near Mussoorie Diversion, one person was swept away and another injured. Two people have been reported missing near Rajpur Shikhar Falls, while three others are trapped on the Rispana River. Rescue efforts are underway in all cases. One person was swept away in the Bhagat Singh Colony area.

The red alert was issued around 5 am on Tuesday by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dehradun, and the Disaster Alert Portal of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), along with a forecast for heavy to very heavy rain, thunder accompanied by lightning, and spells of intense to extremely intense rain.

In view of the current weather across the district, there is an increased likelihood of landslides and flash floods in sensitive areas, which may lead to untoward incidents, stated a circular issued by Savin Bansal, District Magistrate, citing the IMD.

Meanwhile, many routes have been affected. A bridge at Maldevta was washed away, disrupting traffic, and the flow of debris has blocked several sections of the Mussoorie–Dehradun Road. The police, along with other departments, are working to clear the route.

The district administration has, however, advised tourists traveling to Mussoorie not to use the road until it is reopened. A portion of the bridge in Premnagar on the Dehradun–Paonta National Highway has collapsed, resulting in complete disruption of traffic on this route.

On Tuesday morning, the SDRF rescued several people trapped in the swollen Chandrabhaga River after their vehicles got stuck in the water body. The force also rescued people from Sahaspur and Thakurpur.