Ans– A Cloudburst alludes to an outrageous measure of downpour that occurs in a brief period, in some cases joined by hailstorms and thunder. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) defines it as unexpected precipitation exceeding 100 mm for our geographical area approximately 20 to 30 square kilometers.
As demonstrated by a report on streak flood, downpours can be joined by hail and whirlwind. While downpours can happen anyplace, they are generally regularly seen in rocky and desert locales.
India Meteorological Department Chief General Mrutunjay Mohapatra said the deluge is a limited-scale occasion and happens over sloping regions in the Himalayas or the Western Ghats. He said when warm rainstorm twists interface with cold breezes it leads to the arrangement of huge mists, which is additionally because of the geology or orographic factors. On the off chance that 10 cm precipitation is gotten at a station in 60 minutes, the downpour occasion is named cloudburst.
Effects of cloudbursts–
- Flash floods-It is fast flooding that might be brought about by weighty downpours related to an extreme rainstorm, Hurricane, typhoon mud water from ice or snow fields. It has a severe impact on both the built and natural environment.
- Landslides– the movement of the mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope.
- Mudflows– Stream of water that contains an enormous measure of suspended particles and sediment.
- Land caving– excessive surface water leads to remembering the law of soil and forming cave-like structures.
- Blockage of roads which resulted in traffic jams.
- Stagnation of all economic activities as officers, shops factories get affected by acid rain.
- Loss of flora due to a wanted water supply.
- Hindering way of the stream that might prompt transitory damming and making of repository and its subsequent breakdown.
Recently, flash floods resulting from cloudbursts cause landslides near the battle camp in Central Kashmir and Ganderbal area. Somewhere around 13 individuals, Amarnath explorers, have passed on and handfuls disappeared.
Cloudbursts have become progressively normal in the uneven locales of India, featuring the rising recurrence of outrageous climate occasions because of the intense effect of environmental change. The Cloudburst in the lower Amarnath cave region left 15 individuals killed and many harmed. Weighty stones and spouting water hit the headquarters at Balta, washing away three langars and 25 tents pitched by travelers undertaking the dangerous yearly yatra to the popular heavenly altar. Deluge as a significant outrageous climate occasion previously stood out as truly newsworthy in August 2010 during streak floods in pieces of Ladakh. Deluge and weighty short-term downpours set off floods that passed on more than 250 dead and nearly 9,000 individuals impacted.
Why cloudburst is frequent in the Himalayan region-
- In hilly areas, saturated clouds ready to contents into rain cannot produce rain, due to the upward movement of a very warm current of air.
- Instead of falling words, raindrops are carried upwards by the air current. new drops are forming an existing raindrop increase in size.
- After a point, the raindrop becomes too heavy for the clouds to hold onto and they drop down together in a quick flash.
A study published in 2022 examined the methodological factors behind the cloudburst over the Kedarnath region, where cloudburst added to the devastating 2013 floods. it found that during a cloudburst, the relative humidity and cloud cover was at the maximum label with low temperature and slow winds.
Way forward–
- Regulation of construction of activities along the banks of the river with special consideration to water level during heavy rain.
- Strengthening the embankment, barrages, and dams to regulate water flow.
- Localized planning in ecologically fragile regions and involving the local communities.
- Regulate infrastructure projects and preserve the sanctity of eco-sensitive zones.
- Better forecasting by IMD by using advanced technology to monitor and predict extreme weather events can enable early warning, irrigation, and preparedness.
- And most important is the adaptation of Eco-Friendly policies and Eco-sensitive hours for the development of the region.
Incorporation of disaster management and prevention into the development planning process. Participation of local bodies such as NGOs, Gram Sabha, and Panchayat can strengthen the entire framework of disaster management.
