Over 100 tourists found themselves stranded inside Jim Corbett National Park on Sunday morning after sudden rainfall caused a stream to overflow and a tree to fall, blocking exit routes from the Dhikala zone. The chaos unfolded around 9:30 AM, turning a routine return from an overnight forest stay into a five-hour ordeal marked by rising water levels and forest path disruptions.
Overnight accommodations within the park had already been suspended starting June 15 due to adverse weather conditions, as per a Jagran report. Visitors who spent the night of June 14 in the Dhikala rest house were instructed to vacate early Sunday morning to avoid potential danger from swelling rivers and streams.
Jeep Stuck Midstream In Corbett Park
The returning convoy, comprising 28 jeeps and four canters, faced its first challenge when a forest stream flooded the track. While a few vehicles crossed safely, one jeep got stuck midstream, causing alarm among the tourists in vehicles behind. Prompt action by forest staff and local jeep drivers helped rescue those trapped, averting a more serious situation. “If water levels had risen further, the situation could have turned far more dangerous,” officials said.
Park Warden Amit Gavaskoti, who was also en route from the same direction, acted quickly by halting the convoy until the water receded. Forest workers then reinforced the path with stones to make it passable.
Just as the vehicles resumed movement, the group encountered another roadblock—a fallen tree. Forest personnel used cutters to clear the debris. The tourists eventually reached Ramnagar by 2 PM. The stuck jeep was towed, and its occupants were shifted to another vehicle.
“All tourists have been rescued safely," said Gavaskoti. "With the help of staff and drivers, we cleared the route and ensured everyone got out without harm," he said.