Cloudburst floods Sahastradhara and IT park in Dehradun amid Uttarakhand’s worsening monsoon crisis

Heavy rainfall overnight on Sep 15-16 triggered a cloudburst near Sahastradhara in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, submerging homes, shops and an IT park along Sahastradhara Road, and causing severe waterlogging in low-lying areas.

Rivers and streams swelled rapidly, forcing a rescue operation by Police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), which safely rescued five people trapped in swollen waters.

The Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple premises were also flooded as the Tamsa River overflowed. Courtyards and external areas experienced waterlogging, though reports indicate the inner sanctum was spared.

Shops, restaurants and several commercial establishments in Sahastradhara were damaged. Water overflowed bridges and roads, disrupting traffic and cutting off access in some areas.

This cloudburst is the latest in a string of monsoon disasters that have plagued Uttarakhand in 2025. The state has recorded roughly 22% surplus rainfall this season compared to the long‐term average, with districts like Dehradun seeing rainfall ~28% above normal.

In prior weeks, areas across Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri, Bageshwar have seen landslides, cloudbursts, flooding, and destruction of houses and infrastructure leading to displacement and mounting rescue and relief operations.

In response, the IMD has issued red alerts for Haridwar, Tehri, and Dehradun, warning of continuing heavy to very heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers, and the risk of landslides.

Schools up to Class 12 along with Anganwadi centres have been ordered closed as a precaution. Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable zones to stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel.