Mahadangal: Cloudburst Triggers Massive Destruction in Uttarakhand's Khir Ganga Village | ABP NEWS

On August 5, 2025, a sudden cloudburst has wreaked havoc in Uttarakhand’s Khir Ganga village near Dharali, about 20 km before Gangotri Dham. The natural disaster, which struck at around 4:45 PM, led to a sudden flash flood that swept away homes, hotels, and roads within seconds. Heart-wrenching visuals captured on mobile cameras show people running for their lives as a violent surge of water and debris descended from the mountains. So far, four deaths have been confirmed, while over 50 people remain missing. Rescue operations are underway, with SDRF and NDRF teams deployed, but efforts are severely hampered due to fading daylight and worsening weather. The Khir Ganga River overflowed into nearby structures, leading to massive destruction. Entire buildings collapsed and vehicles were washed away. Eyewitnesses reported that the flood resembled the catastrophic 2013 Kedarnath disaster. Adding to the crisis, cloudbursts were also reported in Sukhi Top and Harsil, intensifying the scale of destruction. The central and state governments are closely monitoring the situation, with Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah assuring full support. The tragedy highlights the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the Himalayas, prompting urgent attention to climate resilience and early warning systems.