By Dhruvi Shah
A cloudburst in major parts of Uttarakhand’s Dehradun on Monday night led to flash floods and
rivers overflowing in the area. The disaster reported 15 people dead, 16 missing, and more than
900 stranded, as rivers washed away roads, buildings, and bridges.
Tuesday’s rain overflowed the Tamsa River, which flooded the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple.
While the inner shrine remained dry, water reached the Hanuman idol. District Magistrate Savin
Bansal confirmed, “The National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force,
and the Public Works Department (PWD) teams are engaging in rescuing.”
Local residents recounted their stories of survival. “Around 4:45 am, the water entered the cave.
After that, the water level started to rise, and it rose up to 10 to 12 ft; water was on top of the
shivling, and eventually, we came up with the help of the rope head somehow,” one told ANI.
Another local said, “Due to the high water flow and the big wooden logs floating, the
Tapkeshwar Temple suffered a lot of damage. In this situation, the general public should keep
away from the river, with all state disaster forces.”
Rishikesh was also drenched in heavy rains, resulting in the Chandrabhaga River swelling above
the danger level and leaving both cars and residents stranded. However, Disaster Management
Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said, “There are reports of damages from Sahastradhara and Mal
Devta in Dehradun and from Mussoorie as well. In Dehradun, two to three people are said to be
missing. There was one death reported from Mussoorie that has yet to be verified.”
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who visited the affected areas, said on X, “I received the
sad news that late last night, heavy rains caused some damages to shops in Sasthdhara,
Dehradun. I am in constant communication with the local administration in this matter and am
personally monitoring the situation. I pray that God will keep everyone safe.”
Meanwhile, Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh experienced heavy flooding after heavy rains
overnight, with buses and vehicles washed away from Dharampur town.