A sudden cloudburst in Kheer Ganga near Dharali village in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand wreaked havoc on Tuesday morning, reducing the village to rubble in just 34 seconds. The massive downpour triggered a rapid flow of water and debris from the surrounding mountains, sweeping away homes, roads, and lives.
Cloudburst in Kheer Ganga Claims Lives, Leaves Many Missing
According to official sources, four people have been confirmed dead in the Kheer Ganga cloudburst, while several others remain missing. The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have launched large-scale rescue and relief operations in the affected area.
Local authorities are working round the clock to locate the missing, evacuate survivors, and provide emergency aid to those affected by the disaster.
What is a Cloudburst?
A cloudburst refers to an extremely heavy rainfall in a short period, typically over a small geographical area. Although the term suggests an explosion of clouds, it is not an actual bursting of clouds. The rainfall is so intense that it appears as if a large container full of water has burst open in the sky—hence the term Baadal Phatna in Hindi.
Cloudbursts occur when moisture-laden air masses rise and cool rapidly, condensing into dense clouds. When these clouds fail to release water gradually and instead pour it all at once, it leads to sudden flash floods, especially in hilly and mountainous regions like Uttarakhand.
Why Are Cloudbursts Dangerous in Uttarakhand?
Regions like Uttarkashi, located in the Himalayan terrain, are particularly vulnerable to cloudbursts due to steep slopes and narrow valleys. The sudden downpour overwhelms rivers and drainage systems, leading to flash floods, landslides, and the destruction of infrastructure.
Climate experts warn that with increasing climate change and global warming, the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events are likely to rise in the coming years.
Conclusion
The Kheer Ganga cloudburst is a grim reminder of nature’s unpredictable power. As Uttarakhand mourns its losses, there is an urgent need to strengthen early warning systems, improve disaster preparedness, and build more resilient infrastructure in disaster-prone areas.
Stay tuned for more Uttarakhand news and updates on cloudburst incidents in India.