Uttarakhand: Dehradun Cloudburst Submerges Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Red Alert Issued

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Dehradun: A sudden cloudburst over Dehradun on Tuesday morning caused the Tamsa river to swell dangerously, flooding the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple and alarming residents in the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for both Dehradun and Tehri Garhwal districts, cautioning about heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds reaching nearly 87 kmph.

Ancient Temple Submerged

The Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple, one of the oldest shrines in Dehradun, was completely surrounded by floodwaters following the cloudburst. Priest Acharya Bipin Joshi described the situation as unprecedented in recent memory.

“The river started flowing heavily since around 5 am. The entire temple premises were submerged. Such conditions have not occurred in a very long time. People should strictly avoid going near rivers at this time. Fortunately, the sanctum sanctorum is safe, and no human loss has been reported so far,” Joshi said.

An eyewitness account gave a clearer picture of the sudden rise in water. “Around 4:45 am, the water entered the cave. Soon after, the level kept rising and touched nearly 10 to 12 feet. It even reached above the Shivling. Somehow, we managed to climb up using a rope. It was a terrifying sight,” said a devotee who was present at the temple.

CM Dhami Monitoring Situation 

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that heavy rainfall caused damage in parts of Dehradun, particularly Sahastradhara, late Monday night. In a post on social media platform X, Dhami said, “Some shops have been damaged due to heavy rains in Sahastradhara, Dehradun, late last night. District administration, SDRF, and police have reached the spot and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am constantly in touch with the local administration and am personally monitoring the situation.”

Officials from the district administration and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were quickly deployed to affected areas to assist people and prevent further casualties.

Rishikesh Rescue Operations

Meanwhile, in Rishikesh, the Chandrabhaga river overflowed onto the main highway, creating traffic disruption and panic among residents. SDRF teams confirmed that three individuals trapped in the river were rescued safely. However, several vehicles remained stranded as waters continued to block the roadway.

Authorities have urged commuters to avoid unnecessary travel on hilly routes and to follow instructions issued by disaster management teams.

Repeated cloudburst events in Himalayan region

The latest incident underscores the growing frequency of cloudburst-related disasters in the Himalayan belt during the monsoon season. The steep terrain, fragile ecology, and intense rainfall often combine to trigger sudden floods and landslides.

Just over the weekend, Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district witnessed a devastating cloudburst that buried at least 10 vehicles under debris and destroyed standing crops in nearby villages. Last month, Uttarakhand’s Dharali village was hit by a flash flood after a cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga river basin. The destruction there drew comparisons with the catastrophic Chamoli disaster of 2021, in which more than 200 lives were lost.

Experts note that climate change, coupled with unplanned construction in fragile zones, is making the region more vulnerable to such extreme weather events. Environmentalists have repeatedly warned that unchecked urbanisation along riverbanks and the construction of roads without adequate drainage infrastructure increase the impact of flash floods.

Religious and cultural loss avoided

The flooding of Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple has sparked concern among devotees and the larger Hindu community, as the shrine is a revered pilgrimage site. Located in a natural cave, the temple attracts thousands of worshippers each year, especially during Maha Shivaratri and Shravan month.

Local officials clarified that while the premises were inundated, the sanctum housing the Shivling remains intact. “The temple structure has not suffered permanent damage, though the surrounding facilities have been affected. We will begin cleaning operations once the water recedes,” said a municipal officer.

Disaster preparedness in spotlight

The state government has faced repeated questions over preparedness for such events. In recent years, Uttarakhand has witnessed multiple cloudbursts, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts, putting lives and infrastructure at risk.

Following Tuesday’s events, Chief Minister Dhami said the government would conduct a fresh review of vulnerable zones in the state. “We are committed to improving disaster preparedness and ensuring people’s safety. Rescue and relief work is our immediate priority, but long-term measures are equally important,” Dhami said.

The SDRF and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have also been asked to stay on high alert across Uttarakhand, with teams pre-positioned in districts like Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Pithoragarh, which are prone to flash floods.

IMD warnings continue

Meteorological officials have said that rainfall activity is likely to remain intense in parts of Uttarakhand for the next 48 hours. The IMD advisory warned of possible landslides, road blockages, and swelling of local rivers and streams.

Residents have been urged to stay away from water bodies, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow updates issued by the state disaster management authority. Schools in some parts of Dehradun and Tehri Garhwal have been instructed to remain closed as a precautionary measure.

A stark reminder

Tuesday’s cloudburst serves as another reminder of the fragile ecological balance in Uttarakhand and neighbouring Himalayan states. With communities living close to rivers and hillsides, even a few hours of heavy rain can turn disastrous.

For now, the fact that no lives were lost at Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple has brought relief, but the fear of more such incidents looms large as monsoon currents remain active across northern India.

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