A Himachal Roadways bus was involved in an accident on Tuesday in a remote stretch of the Kwanu-Meenus Road in Kalsi, located in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district, when it fell into a deep gorge, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) reported. Preliminary information suggests that more than 30 passengers were on board at the time of the mishap.

Following the incident, SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi ordered immediate deployment of rescue teams from Dakpathar, Chakrata, Mori, and Tyuni to the accident site. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also spoke with the District Magistrate, issuing urgent instructions to ensure swift relief and rescue operations. In a statement on X, CM Dhami confirmed that all nearby medical facilities had been placed on high alert, and seriously injured passengers, if any, would be airlifted to advanced medical centres. He also prayed for the safety and well-being of all passengers. Authorities continue to assess the situation, and further details regarding the number of casualties or the condition of the passengers are yet to be confirmed.

In a separate incident over the weekend, a van carrying devotees returning from the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple in Tamil Nadu’s Ariyalur district overturned near Poiyyur village on the Tiruchy-Chidambaram National Highway. Keezhapazhuvur police quickly reached the site, registered a case, and launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Both incidents highlight the ongoing risks on hilly and rural roads, prompting authorities to emphasize caution and readiness for rapid emergency response in such areas.