Severe Rainfall Causes Disruption in Dehradun, Damages New Bridge Access Road

Dehradun experienced relentless rainfall on Tuesday, leading to significant disruptions across the city. The heavy downpour resulted in floodwaters inundating low-lying neighborhoods and slum areas, causing extensive damage to homes and sweeping away personal belongings. Additionally, a crucial roadway linking Dehradun to Himachal Pradesh faced adverse effects due to the severe weather conditions. Among the most impacted sites was the newly constructed bridge spanning the Tons River at Nanda Ki Chowki in Prem Nagar. Continuous rainfall that began Monday night severely compromised the approach road to this bridge, leading to traffic disruptions on the Dehradun–Paonta Sahib Highway.

This bridge, which cost approximately Rs 16 crore to construct, was inaugurated on July 12 as a replacement for an older bridge that had been destroyed during the previous year's monsoon season. Officials have confirmed that the bridge itself remains structurally sound; however, the approach road has sustained significant damage. Dehradun District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan reported that the district administration has activated a 24/7 control room in response to the heavy rains and has dispatched teams to the affected site. Restoration efforts for the damaged access road have already commenced, with authorities prioritizing the reopening of travel routes between Dehradun, Vikasnagar, and the neighboring regions of Himachal Pradesh.