Uttarakhand was thrown into turmoil on Tuesday, September 16, as torrential rains triggered devastating cloudbursts across the state, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Dehradun, the state capital, emerged as the worst-hit region, with 13 lives lost and 16 people still reported missing. The overnight deluge caused landslides, washed-away roads, submerged homes, and disrupted daily life for thousands of residents.

Authorities reported that areas including Sahastradhara, Maldevta, Santla Devi, and Dalanwala bore the brunt of the downpour, suffering significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and commercial establishments. According to the district disaster management office, Sahastradhara recorded an alarming 192 mm of rain, Maldevta 141.5 mm, Hathi Barkala and Jolly Grant 92.5 mm each, and Kalsi 83.5 mm. The sheer volume of water led to rivers swelling, bridges being swept away, and over 500 people stranded across the city.

Rivers Swell, Temples and Landmarks Submerged

The relentless rain caused rivers to swell dangerously, with the Tamsa river—a prominent waterway in Dehradun—rising close to critical levels. The river, which flows beside the famed Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple, inundated the temple grounds and submerged the massive Hanuman statue near its entrance up to the shoulders. The temple priest, Bipin Joshi, remarked, “I have not seen the river waters rise so high in the past 25 to 30 years.” Fortunately, the early morning hours saw only a few devotees within the temple premises, and the resident priests remained safe.

Other major rivers, including the Ganga and Yamuna, were also flowing close to warning levels. Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman confirmed that relief and rescue teams were actively engaged in the affected areas, with around 300 to 400 residents already relocated to safer locations.

Rescue Operations Intensify

One of the critical rescues involved around 200 children trapped by waterlogging at the Devbhoomi Institute campus in Paundha, Dehradun. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team swiftly reached the site, ensuring all children were safely evacuated. “The team reached the spot and conducted a quick rescue operation. Amidst the waterlogging, they worked with utmost prudence and promptness to evacuate all 200 students,” said Banshidhar Tiwari, Director General, Information.

In Tehri, waterlogging left residents stranded at Geeta Bhawan, who were later rescued by authorities. A road in Nainital was blocked following a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall. Residents of Majhara village recounted surviving a landslide that hit their homes in the early morning, with some individuals still reported missing.

#WATCH | Dehradun: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected the disaster-affected area in Kesarwala, Maldevta area. pic.twitter.com/UucPsw3tMl— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2025

Area-Specific Updates

• Sahastradhara and Maldevta: The cloudburst in Sahastradhara led to severe flooding. Hotels, shops, and residential structures suffered substantial damage. Roads connecting key localities were washed away, including a 100-meter-long road in Maldevta, Raipur, disrupting connectivity. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami visited these areas, emphasizing the severity of the disaster and pledging that all departments were working tirelessly to restore normalcy.

• Karligad Village: Gram Pradhan Rakesh Jawadi described the devastation, stating, “The incident occurred around 6–7 am. People here were already alert and stayed away from the water. A house in front has been completely buried, with cattle trapped underneath. In this area alone, there are about 50 houses, with another 50 just ahead. Now, everything has been destroyed. Several casualties have been reported.”

• Rishikesh: The Chandrabhaga River swelled following continuous rainfall, inundating parts of the highway. The SDRF rescued three people and cleared a road blocked by a fallen tree near Khara Srot in the Muni Ki Reti area of Tehri Garhwal. Continuous monitoring ensured vehicles could pass safely despite debris and waterlogging.

• Prem Nagar: The collapse of a bridge near Uttaranchal University severed access to the hostel area. In this region alone, eight laborers lost their lives, and four are missing.

• Sahastradhara and Jharipani: Flash floods and landslides in these localities damaged multiple homes and resorts. In Karligarh village, 23 houses and several resorts were destroyed, with six people reported missing. In Jharipani, two people died after a house collapsed.

Extensive Damage Across Dehradun

The flash floods buried several homes and shops under mud and debris in Sahastradhara. In the IT Park locality, cars were submerged, while the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple faced severe inundation. Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple priest Rajpal Giri reported, “There has been huge damage. The entire temple is damaged. The Shivling is submerged under 3–4 feet of debris. The water started rising at around 5 am, and the situation escalated as the water level reached the first floor of the temple.”

Three people were trapped under debris in Sahastradhara, prompting an immediate rescue operation involving NDRF, SDRF, and local police teams. Ajay Pant, assistant commandant of NDRF, explained, “The situation is very bad due to cloudbursts. There has been a lot of damage to houses and properties. We received information that three people were trapped in the debris. The search operation had to be paused temporarily as debris and water were coming down from the hills.”

The Tons river also wreaked havoc, with videos circulating of laborers being swept away by the raging waters. A tractor stranded mid-river showed people pleading for help while locals struggled to devise rescue plans.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: In rural areas of Rishikesh, the communication has been disrupted due to the water of the rivers. The railway line connectivity has been lost due to the water. pic.twitter.com/LdOTFuFu0z— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2025

Government Response and Relief Measures

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted multiple on-site inspections of the disaster-hit areas, including Kesarwala, Maldevta, Sahastradhara, Raipur, and Prem Nagar. He assured residents that relief and rescue operations were being prioritized and that all possible assistance would be provided. “There has been a lot of damage to houses and government properties. Livelihood is affected. PM Modi and Union HM Amit Shah spoke with me this morning and took all the details. They assured us that all possible help will be provided. We are working to help the people affected in this disaster,” CM Dhami said.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families of Uttar Pradesh residents who lost their lives in the Tons river incident. He expressed condolences and instructed officials to ensure the respectful transport of mortal remains.

Transportation and Connectivity Challenges

Heavy rainfall caused severe disruptions to roads and bridges across Dehradun and surrounding areas. The main road connecting Dehradun and Mussoorie suffered partial collapse due to landslides. Smaller connecting roads in Jharipani, Chunakhala, and Kimadi were blocked. Over 3,000 tourists were reportedly stranded in Mussoorie. Additionally, traffic was blocked from Mansa Devi to Dhalwala Bridge due to waterlogging. Authorities are working to restore connectivity and ensure the supply of drinking water and electricity.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: Cloudburst in Sahastradhara has led to heavy flooding; visuals show cars buried in debris.

People shift to safer places as floods triggered by the heavy rainfall cause severe damage to their houses. pic.twitter.com/0nMZf2qUCz— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2025

Meteorological Alerts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for four consecutive days, warning of light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms across Dehradun, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar. Sahastradhara alone recorded 192 mm of rain, while Maldevta received 141.5 mm. The impact of heavy rainfall extended beyond Uttarakhand, reaching Himachal Pradesh, where three family members were killed in the Mandi district, and another person went missing.

Ongoing Relief Efforts

Rescue teams from NDRF, SDRF, police, and local authorities have been deployed across affected areas to evacuate residents and provide immediate relief. Officials are working on restoring roads, bridges, and essential services while monitoring river levels and weather conditions closely. Authorities continue to advise residents to remain vigilant near rivers and streams, particularly in rural and low-lying areas.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: Shops and hotels in Sahastradhara severely damaged due to floods triggered by heavy rains in Dehradun since last night. pic.twitter.com/x17XjCtPp5— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2025

Final Word

The recent cloudbursts and heavy rains have brought Uttarakhand to a standstill, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods. Dehradun, along with neighboring areas, remains in crisis mode as rescue and relief operations continue. With over 15 lives lost, many missing, and hundreds stranded, the human and economic toll of this disaster is significant. Authorities, including the state and central governments, have pledged full support to restore normalcy and provide aid to affected families.

As heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the coming days, vigilance and preparedness remain crucial to minimizing further loss of life and property. The resilience of the people of Uttarakhand, combined with coordinated rescue operations, offers hope in these trying times.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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