Cloudburst in Dehradun: Tamsa River Floods, 5 Dead, 20 Missing

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: A powerful cloudburst struck Dehradun last night, leading to the sudden overflow of the Tamsa River. The torrential rainfall triggered flash floods that submerged houses, temples, and roads, causing severe damage across multiple areas. The situation remains critical as at least five people have been confirmed dead, while over twenty are still reported missing.

The Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, one of the region’s significant religious landmarks, was submerged as floodwaters surged, displacing many residents. The flood also severely damaged infrastructure, including a major bridge that collapsed under the pressure of the waters, and many properties along the riverbanks sustained heavy damage.

Officials revealed that the intense rainfall caused the Chandrabhaga River to rise above normal levels since early morning, with floodwaters reaching nearby highways. Several vehicles remain stranded in the floodwater, worsening the rescue challenges. The IT Park area in Dehradun also reported significant waterlogging, disrupting office operations and causing major public distress.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that several shops in Sahasradhara were damaged and that he is personally monitoring the situation in coordination with local authorities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a phone conversation with the CM, assured full central government assistance during this calamity.

Rescue operations are ongoing with the involvement of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Public Works Department (PWD) officials. Bulldozers and rescue teams are working tirelessly to evacuate residents to safer locations. So far, between 300 to 400 people have been relocated to relief camps.

Vinod Kumar Suman, Disaster Management Secretary, confirmed damage in Sahasradhara, Mall Devta, and Massuri regions. Meanwhile, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Hari Giri emphasized that the river water levels are dangerously high and continue to rise, though no fresh casualties have been reported at this time.

The administration urges residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines until the situation stabilizes.