Definition:
- A cloudburst is an extreme weather event marked by sudden, heavy rainfall (≥100 mm/hour) over a localized area, often leading to flash floods.
Mechanism:
- Caused by orographic uplift in mountainous regions (e.g., Himalayas).
- Warm, moist air rises rapidly, cools, and condenses abruptly.
- Inability of clouds to shed moisture gradually leads to sudden downpour.
Favorable Conditions:
- High moisture content + vertical cloud development.
- Common in monsoon season, especially in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Northeast India.
Impacts:
- Flash floods, landslides, infrastructure damage, and loss of life.
- Example: Leh Cloudburst (2010) – 150+ dead, massive damage.
Conclusion:
- Cloudbursts are highly unpredictable and dangerous, needing improved early warning systems and resilient infrastructure in vulnerable zones.
