A threat hung over Chunadhara as debris and large boulders tumbled onto the roadway along the Kotdwar section of the Paudi National Highway after a bout of heavy rain on Thursday. Traffic stalled for roughly an hour, forming a jam that stretched nearly 2 kilometers. The roadway was coated with mud, making passage hazardous for vehicles and pedestrians. Witnesses reported the rain intensified around 2 in the afternoon, followed by a slope collapse shortly before 3 PM, sending rocks down the hillside.
Once authorities were alerted, a National Highway Authority team arrived with a JCB to clear the debris and restore traffic flow. Even after the initial clearing, additional rockfalls continued to occur from the hillside, delaying full stabilisation of the section. Police personnel were deployed to manage the traffic and re-open the corridor progressively as the cleanup proceeded.
A new danger zone approximately 200 meters in length formed after the landslide, with mud and debris posing ongoing risks to motorists. The incident also affected preparations for nearby construction and beautification works: a tourism department project featuring a coffee house and parking area, currently under construction with an estimated cost around 32 lakh, is now under threat. The debris and slide have damaged the ongoing beautification works carried out by the municipal authorities, and water sources in the area were reportedly buried under the debris.
The landslide also put 7 municipal shops and a gas agency in Dugdaga at risk, creating concerns among residents and officials about securing these structures and safeguarding the local water source. People have called for immediate steps to clear Chunadhara of debris, protect the water source, and ensure safety around the affected build sites and shops.
Officials from the Public Works Department and the local administration are expected to assess the damage and determine the next steps for stabilising the hillside and reopening the route safely.
