Heavy overnight rains wreaked havoc in Dehradun and many other parts of Uttarakhand, damaging houses and shops and prompting a swift evacuation.
Road traffic was disrupted in many districts as the downpour led to landslides and caused flooding in several low-lying areas. One casualty has been reported from Mussoorie, while at least three people have gone missing.
"Damage has been reported from Sahastradhara and Mal Devta in Dehradun, and also from Mussoorie. Two to three people are said to be missing in Dehradun. A death has been reported from Mussoorie and is being verified," Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said.
Relief and rescue operations are underway in full swing, and 300 to 400 people have been already moved to safety, he said.
In Dehradun, several houses and an IT park area were submerged after a cloudburst and massive flooding in the Karligaad rivulet. The gushing waters carried debris into the main market area, leading to significant damage to several commercial establishments.
The heavy rains also caused the Tamsa river to swell and inundate the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple, one of Dehradun's most revered shrines. Water entered the temple courtyard, though the sanctum sanctorum remained safe, reported ANI.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he was in touch with the local administration and was personally monitoring the situation.
"Received the sad news of some shops getting damaged due to heavy rains in Sasthdhara, Dehradun, late last night. District administration, SDRF, and police have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations,” he said in a post on X.
The chief minister’s office said Dhami had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the situation.
The Centre has assured the state of all possible help and asserted that the Union government stands firmly with the people of Uttarakhand in this hour of crisis, according to the CMO.