Haldwani: In a shocking accident on Wednesday morning (June 25), a car carrying seven people was swept into an overflowing irrigation canal in Haldwani’s Kotwali area, resulting in the deaths of four passengers, including a child. The incident occurred behind the fire brigade office, as the city reels from days of torrential rainfall and flooding drains.
According to the police, the vehicle lost control on a waterlogged road and plunged into the canal. The car overturned after impact and was carried forward by the strong current before becoming lodged near a culvert. The water quickly flooded the interior, trapping the passengers inside.
Here are some visuals from the site that later surfaced on social media:
Child Among 4 Killed, 3 Critical
The rescue team, comprising of the local police and fire brigade officials, managed to recover the car from the canal. However, it was too late for four of the occupants, including one child. “When the car’s glass was opened, we found four people had already died,” said SP City Prakash Chandra, as quoted by ETV Bharat. The three survivors have been admitted to Sushil Tiwari Hospital, where their condition remains critical.
All seven passengers were residents of Kichha in Udham Singh Nagar. The police have gathered identification details of the deceased and are in touch with the families. “If the car had not overturned, everyone could have been saved,” Chandra added, explaining that the rapid inflow of water and the positioning of the passengers made escape nearly impossible.
City On Alert As Drains Overflow
Elsewhere in Haldwani, major drains in Devkhadi, Raksiya and Kalsia areas are flowing at dangerous levels due to ongoing rain. Municipal Commissioner Richa Singh, who has been monitoring the situation on the ground since early morning, said that while most areas have avoided waterlogging thanks to pre-emptive drain cleaning, citizens must remain cautious.
Emergency services, including fire, police, and disaster response teams, are currently on high alert. Authorities have urged the public to stay indoors unless necessary and avoid areas near fast-flowing drains or water bodies.
