Published on 23 Feb 2025
A cloudburst is a localised but intense rainfall activity. Not all instances of very heavy rainfall, however, are cloudbursts. Rainfall of 10 cm or more in an hour over a roughly 10 km x 10-km area is classified as a cloudburst event. Short spells of very heavy rainfall over a small geographical area can cause widespread destruction.
Causes of Cloudbursts
Unstable Himalayas: The young and geologically active Himalayas are prone to sudden weather changes.
Trapped Monsoon Rain: Monsoon winds encounter the Himalayas, forcing moisture-laden air upwards. This air can become trapped and oversaturated.
Upper Air Pressure: Strong upper air currents can further compress trapped, saturated clouds, triggering a sudden downpour.
Local Topography: Steep slopes and valley shapes can concentrate the force of the downpour, intensifying the cloudburst impact.
Climate Change: Rising temperatures may lead to more moisture-laden clouds, potentially increasing cloudburst risk.
Effects of Cloudbursts
Landslides: Cloudbursts trigger rapid movements of massive amounts of earth and rock, causing landslides that endanger lives and infrastructure.
Mudslides: The heavy rain mixes with loose debris to create fast-moving mudslides, which can be highly destructive.
Ecological Damage: Floods from cloudbursts devastate vegetation and animal life, as forests are submerged and uprooted.
Land Subsidence: The force of the water can cause the ground to rapidly sink or settle, impacting structures and landscapes.
Displacement and Disruption: Cloudbursts often cause widespread destruction, leading to large-scale population displacement and straining resources for rehabilitation.
Measures to tackle cloudbursts
Early Warning and Risk Reduction:
Early Warning Systems: Deploy rain gauges, weather monitoring systems, and disseminate timely warnings through various media.
Floodplain Zoning: Restrict construction in floodplains to minimize damage to settlements and infrastructure.
Improved Land Management: Promote soil conservation, afforestation, and rainwater harvesting to reduce runoff and flash flood risks.
Preparedness and Response:
Emergency Response Plans: Develop and update plans for timely and effective disaster response.
Community Involvement: Engage communities in disaster risk reduction activities (evacuation plans, safe locations, response training).
Training and Drills: Conduct regular training and drills for disaster response teams, volunteers, and the public.
Long-Term Solutions:
Nature-Based Solutions: Promote rainwater harvesting and green spaces to absorb excess water.
Resilient Building Practices: Implement and enforce building codes for flood-resistant structures and appropriate site selection. Encourage retrofitting existing buildings.
Research and Development: Invest in research to improve understanding of cloudbursts and develop early detection and management technologies. Foster collaboration between stakeholders
Geography
CLOUDBURSTS
Causes of Cloudbursts
Effects of Cloudbursts
Measures to tackle cloudbursts
General Studies Paper 1
Natural Calamities and Disaster Management