Answer

A cloudburst is an extreme weather event characterised by sudden, intense rainfall over a localised area, often within an hour, leading to flash floods. For instance, in 2013, a cloudburst in Uttarakhand, India, triggered devastating floods and landslides, illustrating the destructive potential of such events, especially in mountainous regions.

Phenomenon of Cloudburst:

• Rapid Upward Movement and Orographic Lifting: Cloudbursts occur when warm, moisture-laden air rapidly rises, cools, and condenses into dense clouds.
  For example: In the Himalayas, steep terrain accelerates orographic lifting, causing heavy rainfall, as seen in the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy.
• Localised Low-Pressure Zones: The development of low-pressure areas in high-altitude regions attracts moisture-laden winds, leading to heavy cloud formation and eventual cloudbursts.
  For example: The 2020 cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh can be linked to such low-pressure zones in the atmosphere.
• Saturation of Air: When air holds more moisture than it can sustain, any sudden atmospheric disturbance can lead to excessive rainfall.
• Atmospheric Instability: Collisions between warm, moist air and cooler air pockets create unstable atmospheric conditions, triggering cloudbursts.
  For example: The 2014 cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir, which led to widespread destruction, was a result of such instability.
• Global Warming and Climate Change: Rising global temperatures have led to an increase in atmospheric moisture levels, making cloudbursts more frequent and intense..

Characteristics of Cloudbursts:

• High-Intensity Rainfall: Cloudbursts are defined by rainfall exceeding 100 mm in an hour, leading to significant flooding.
  For example: The Leh cloudburst of 2010 dumped an immense amount of rain in a very short period, overwhelming local drainage systems.
• Localised Nature: Cloudbursts typically affect small areas, less than 20-30 square kilometres.
  For example: In 2022 Amarnath Yatra cloudburst, where a specific zone experienced extreme rainfall, causing rapid flooding.
• Short Duration: Though cloudbursts last only a few minutes to an hour, the intensity of rainfall causes immense damage.
  For example: The 2021 Uttarakhand cloudburst lasted for about 30 minutes, causing flash floods in several areas.
• Sudden River Surge and Dam Breach: Cloudbursts often cause a rapid and uncontrolled surge in river water levels, putting immense pressure on dams, sometimes causing breaches that result in catastrophic flash floods.
• Occurrence in Hilly Regions: Cloudbursts are most common in mountainous regions like the Himalayas, due to the orographic effect.
• Lack of Predictability: Cloudbursts are difficult to forecast due to their sudden and localised nature.

As climate patterns shift, the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts are expected to rise, particularly in vulnerable areas. Enhanced weather forecasting and disaster preparedness will be essential to mitigate their impacts and help communities adapt to these unpredictable events in the future.

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