Dehradun, Sept 16: Relentless heavy rains over the past 24 hours have unleashed widespread devastation across Uttarakhand, triggering landslides, flash floods, and infrastructure collapse. Several houses have been swept into swollen rivers, farmlands washed away, and families forced to evacuate as disaster response teams work round the clock.
In Rishikesh, the Chandrabhaga river overflowed, trapping vehicles until SDRF teams carried out rescue operations. Road blockages and traffic disruptions have been reported on multiple highways. The IMD has issued a red alert for Tehri, Haridwar, and Dehradun, warning of rising river levels and more landslides.
Overnight downpours in Dehradun and adjoining areas damaged roads, shops, and homes, with a bridge washed away early Tuesday. In Maldevta, Raipur region, a 100-metre stretch of road collapsed after torrential rains in the Sahastradhara hills.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected affected areas including Kesarwala and Maldevta and assured swift relief. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had personally called to review the situation and promised all possible central assistance. Dhami emphasized that relief and rescue operations were being conducted at full scale and that the state government stands firmly with affected families.
Authorities have deployed disaster response teams to vulnerable zones, set up relief camps for displaced residents, and urged people to avoid travel in high-risk areas. With more heavy rainfall forecast, officials remain on high alert across the state. (Agencies)
