DEHRADUN: The Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Uttarakhand's Dehradun has suffered extensive damage after the Tamsa River, swollen by torrential rains and a cloudburst in Sahastradhara, inundated the temple premises.
Several feet of sand and debris entered the temple complex, submerging the Shivling and leaving deep cracks in the walls.
While officials confirmed that no loss of life has been reported so far, the scale of destruction is being described as severe. The water level, which rose sharply in the early hours, has now begun to recede.
According to temple officials, the river's level started rising rapidly at around 5:00 A.M., leading to the complete submergence of the first floor of the temple complex.
"There has been huge damage. The entire temple is damaged. The Shivling is submerged under 3–4 feet of debris. The water started rising at around 5 A.M. and the situation escalated as the water level reached the first floor of the temple, " priest Rajpal Giri told IANS.
Authorities have urged temple priests and locals to stay away from the riverbank until weather conditions improve.
"Everything has been destroyed, except for the Shivling, which is indeed submerged in sand. All the chamber doors are blocked with water and sand. The water has risen, and 3–4 feet of sand or even more has entered the temple, " a local said.
The cloudburst that triggered the flood was reported late on Monday night in the Kalighat area of Sahastradhara, a popular tourist destination in Dehradun.
Heavy debris from the incident damaged two to three hotels and several shops in the main market.
Similar reports of destruction have come in from other parts of the state, including Rishikesh and Haldwani, where swollen rivers and debris have disrupted daily life.