Mussoorie Reels from Landslides: Key Road to Dhanaulti Blocked, Public Disrupted

Mussoorie, July 24, 2025: Heavy overnight rainfall triggered a significant landslide on the Mussoorie-Dhanaulti road near Woodstock School on Thursday, causing an hour-long road closure and significant disruption for residents and tourists. The incident has highlighted the growing vulnerability of the hillside in this area, which has now seen multiple landslides.

According to local residents, the relentless rain throughout the night led to a large amount of debris sliding onto the road, completely blocking the key route. This forced commuters, including those heading to schools, to take a longer, alternative route via NH-707A, which in turn led to several kilometers of traffic jams.

The Public Works Department (PWD) responded to the landslide, dispatching a JCB machine to clear the debris. Jitendra Tripathi, the Executive Engineer, stated that the road was cleared and traffic was restored within an hour. He further noted that the source of the recurring landslides has been identified as a private property. A notice will be issued to the owner to implement necessary safety measures to prevent future incidents.This same location had experienced a major landslide a few days prior, where a large section of the hill had collapsed.

Widespread Disruption and Calls for a Permanent Solution

The day’s disruptions were not limited to the Dhanaulti road. A separate landslide on the Mussoorie National Highway 707A near the Mussoorie bend also brought traffic to a complete standstill, creating long queues of vehicles on both sides.

The blockages caused considerable hardship, particularly for those traveling for the Panchayat elections. Many voters were unable to reach the polling stations on time, leading to public frustration. A villager named Pankaj recounted being stuck for a prolonged period due to the sheer volume of debris, and mentioned an initial lack of assistance from police or administration. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) team later arrived with a JCB and, after approximately two hours of work, managed to partially reopen the highway.

Tourists caught in the gridlock described it as their first experience of being stranded in the mountains during the monsoon. In response to the repeated incidents, local citizens are demanding a permanent solution from the administration. They have urged for the construction of retaining walls, safety nets, and proper drainage systems in these vulnerable areas to avert future disasters.Residents have also called for increased vigilance and the placement of warning signs in landslide-prone zones during the rainy season.