Cloudburst in Dehradun Triggers Floods and Landslides; Rescue Operations Underway

Dehradun, Uttarakhand — A massive cloudburst struck the outskirts of Dehradun on Tuesday, unleashing heavy rains and landslides in the Sahastradhara area.

The deluge destroyed houses, roads, shops, and vehicles, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. Two people have been reported missing, while State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have launched urgent rescue and relief operations.

Local businesses have borne the brunt of the disaster, with shops and hotels in Sahastradhara suffering extensive damage. Overnight rainfall also caused the Tamsa River to overflow, inundating the courtyard of the Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple — one of Dehradun’s most revered shrines. Water rose to the feet of the Hanuman statue, though the sanctum sanctorum was spared.

Elsewhere, infrastructure has been severely affected. The bridge near Fun Valley and Uttarakhand Dental College on the Dehradun–Haridwar National Highway was damaged by floodwaters, while in Rishikesh, the Chandrabhaga River swelled dangerously, submerging parts of the highway. SDRF teams rescued three people stranded in the river, though several vehicles remain trapped.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah held discussions with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, seeking a detailed assessment of the situation. The Chief Minister is personally reviewing the ground conditions in affected areas of Dehradun, accompanied by local legislators and senior officials. He has directed authorities to ensure immediate relief — including food, water, shelter, and medical support — for all displaced families.

This disaster comes close on the heels of a similar tragedy earlier this month. On August 5, a severe cloudburst in Uttarkashi’s Dharali area triggered flash floods and landslides that destroyed homes, hotels, and homestays, claiming lives, leaving many missing, and causing heavy infrastructure losses. That incident had already mobilized NDRF and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) teams for extensive rescue and recovery efforts.