Uttarakhand logs 490% excess rain in 24 hrs; landslide hits Mussoorie's Kempty Falls

Time of India

05-05-2025

Dehradun/Mussoorie: Uttarakhand witnessed a staggering 490% excess rainfall in the past 24 hours, with some areas recording more than 1,000% above-normal rainfall between Sunday and Monday morning, according to the regional meteorological centre.
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The state received 8.7 mm of rainfall, significantly higher than the usual 1.5 mm. Tehri, Dehradun and Udham Singh Nagar districts saw over 1,000% surplus rainfall, while Rudraprayag, where the Kedarnath yatra began on Sunday, reported over 900% excess precipitation.
In Mussoorie, the usually tranquil Kempty Falls swelled into a raging stream, triggering a landslide that sent massive debris tumbling down the hillside, blocking NH-707A and damaging a nearby shop.
"There was a marked increase in water flow at Kempty Falls for a few hours, but no major damage has been reported," said Ashok Nautiyal, president of the Kempty Traders Association.
He added that a large amount of debris came down from Bada Khala in the Kempty market area, blocking the national highway for nearly an hour. "The debris also entered a couple of shops, but thankfully, there was no major damage," Nautiyal said.
Ram Krishna Gupta, a shopkeeper said, "Tourists who were bathing in the pool at the base of the falls took shelter in nearby shops when the rain began, which helped prevent any untoward incidents."
In Dehradun's Raipur area, the Song River swelled dangerously following heavy downpours.
The regional met centre has issued a red alert for Uttarkashi district on Wednesday and Thursday, warning of heavy to very heavy rain and possible snowfall.
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An orange alert has been issued for 12 other districts, including Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Dehradun, Pauri, Pithoragarh and Nainital. Cold day conditions are also expected in several hilly regions, particularly Uttarkashi, during this period.
In response, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority convened a high-level meeting to review preparedness and coordinate emergency response. District administrations have been put on alert and advised to take precautionary measures.
The Char Dham districts have been directed to halt pilgrims at safe locations during heavy rainfall and allow them to proceed only once the rain subsides.
Dehradun/Mussoorie: Uttarakhand witnessed a staggering 490% excess rainfall in the past 24 hours, with some areas recording more than 1,000% above-normal rainfall between Sunday and Monday morning, according to the regional meteorological centre.
The state received 8.7 mm of rainfall, significantly higher than the usual 1.5 mm.
Tehri, Dehradun and Udham Singh Nagar districts saw over 1,000% surplus rainfall, while Rudraprayag, where the Kedarnath yatra began on Sunday, reported over 900% excess precipitation.
In Mussoorie, the usually tranquil Kempty Falls swelled into a raging stream, triggering a landslide that sent massive debris tumbling down the hillside, blocking NH-707A and damaging a nearby shop. "There was a marked increase in water flow at Kempty Falls for a few hours, but no major damage has been reported," said Ashok Nautiyal, president of the Kempty Traders Association.
He added that a large amount of debris came down from Bada Khala in the Kempty market area, blocking the national highway for nearly an hour. "The debris also entered a couple of shops, but thankfully, there was no major damage," Nautiyal said.
Ram Krishna Gupta, a shopkeeper said, "Tourists who were bathing in the pool at the base of the falls took shelter in nearby shops when the rain began, which helped prevent any untoward incidents."
In Dehradun's Raipur area, the Song River swelled dangerously following heavy downpours.
The regional met centre has issued a red alert for Uttarkashi district on Wednesday and Thursday, warning of heavy to very heavy rain and possible snowfall. An orange alert has been issued for 12 other districts, including Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Dehradun, Pauri, Pithoragarh and Nainital. Cold day conditions are also expected in several hilly regions, particularly Uttarkashi, during this period.
In response, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority convened a high-level meeting to review preparedness and coordinate emergency response. District administrations have been put on alert and advised to take precautionary measures. The Char Dham districts have been directed to halt pilgrims at safe locations during heavy rainfall and allow them to proceed only once the rain subsides.