A severe storm accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain swept through Mussoorie and Dehradun late Thursday night, causing widespread damage. Trees were uprooted, buildings were damaged, and power supply was disrupted across both towns.
Damage in Mussoorie
In Mussoorie, at least five houses in the Durga Mandir area on Camel's Back Road sustained damage after trees fell on their roofs. The roof of the BSNL building on Mall Road was blown away, and the LIC building also suffered damage. Three hotels near Duggal Villa in Kulri had their roofs damaged, and the shed of the ropeway atop Gun Hill was blown away.
Residents reported that the storm began shortly after midnight and lasted for over an hour. A resident of Camel's Back Road, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It was frightening. We could hear strong winds and the sound of roofs crashing down. The power also went off."
Impact in Dehradun
In Dehradun, late-night rain and thunderstorms led to uprooted trees and power outages in several areas. A resident of Malsi, Deepak, expressed his frustration: "We have been without electricity since midnight. A tree fell on power lines. Initially, workers said electricity would be restored by Friday evening, but later informed us it would take another day. Without electricity, we cannot run our motor and store water."
Fallen trees were reported on Chakrata Road and along the Dehradun-Mussoorie highway. Many commercial establishments lost signboards and shutters. Near the Rashtrapati Udyan site, barricades installed along the boundary collapsed.
Waterlogging and Social Media Concerns
Waterlogging was reported from several parts of the city, and streams and rivers were in spate during the night before water levels receded by morning. Users on social media shared videos of waterlogged streets in the city centre and raised concerns over the city's preparedness for the monsoon.
Continued Threat
Thunderstorm conditions were again witnessed in parts of Dehradun and Mussoorie on Friday evening, prompting concerns over further damage during the upcoming monsoon season.
About the Author: Tanmayee Tyagi is a senior correspondent with TOI, reporting on civic issues, education, and health with an avid interest in environmental concerns.
