Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday said that he is in constant touch with the local administration following a cloudburst at Karligaad in Dehradun’s Sahastradhara area that caused significant destruction and left two people missing.
The incident, reported late Monday night from Sahastradhara — a popular tourist destination — triggered heavy debris flow, damaging two to three major hotels and several shops in the main market. The strong current swept away many shops, while search and rescue operations are underway to trace the missing persons.
Expressing concern, CM Dhami said on X, “Sad news has been reported about damage to several shops due to heavy rain last night in Sahastradhara, Dehradun. The administration, SDRF, and police are present at the scene, actively engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am in constant contact with the local administration and personally monitoring the situation. I pray to God for everyone’s safety.”
Authorities have mobilised all relevant departments, including SDRF, NDRF, and the Public Works Department. JCB machines and other essential equipment are being deployed to clear debris and restore normalcy.
Meanwhile, incessant rainfall caused the Chandrabhaga River in Rishikesh to overflow, flooding nearby roads. Three individuals — Khushpal Singh, Manoj Rawat, and Bobby Panwar — were stranded in the river but were rescued promptly by SDRF personnel.
Heavy rain also disrupted traffic in several areas. Debris blocked roads near Khara Srot in Muni Ki Reti, stranding many vehicles, while a large tree fell near the PWD intersection, further affecting movement.
In Haldwani’s Kaladhungi police station area, a Bolero was swept away late Monday night while attempting to cross a rain-fed drain around 11:30 p.m. Of the three occupants, two were rescued by locals, while one youth remains missing. Police, along with NDRF and SDRF teams, have launched a search operation. Eyewitnesses reported that the vehicle was carried downstream by the strong current, and timely intervention by locals saved two lives.
(IANS)