Marooned men swept away by Dehradun river amid heavy rain

Video shows men trapped on tractor as raging river topples it, six feared dead

At least six labourers are feared dead after being swept away by the raging Tons River in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun, following heavy overnight rainfall.

The video, shared by NDTV, shows about 10 labourers who were perched on a tractor stuck in the middle of the river.

The marooned men can be seen calling for help as people on the bank tried to figure out a rescue. Before any assistance could reach them, the river overturned the tractor, sweeping the men away under water.

Preliminary reports suggest the labourers were engaged in mining activities, though details on how they got stuck in the river are still awaited.

NDTV reported that heavy rain through the night has caused extensive damage to roads and homes in Dehradun, Mussoorie, and Mal Devta areas. A bridge near Law College in Prem Nagar, Dehradun, has been washed away.

Nearly 400 people have been evacuated and rescue teams are on the ground.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said all rivers in the state are in spate after heavy rain. “Roads have been breached at 25 to 30 places. Approach roads are cut off. Houses and government properties have been damaged. Normal life is severely affected. Rescue teams are working on a war footing to restore normalcy,” he said.

“The state government stands with every affected family. The administration is already on alert mode, and the NDRF, SDRF, police and local administration are constantly active.”

The Chief Minister’s office added that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have been briefed on the situation, and the Centre has assured full assistance.