Recently, a cloudburst event was reported in Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla regions of Himachal Pradesh, as per the District Disaster Management Authority.
About Cloudbursts
- It refers to particularly heavy precipitation in a short period of time over limited geographical area.
- Any unexpected precipitation exceeding 100 millimetres per hour over a geographical region of approximately 20 to 30 square km can be categorized as cloudburst. (IMD)
- Vulnerability of Himalayas to Cloudbursts
- Topography and orography of Himalayas force moist air to rise rapidly, causing intense condensation and precipitation facilitating favorable condition to cloudbursts.
- Some studies suggest that mostly cloudbursts occur in low elevation high-temperature zones of topoclimate regimes of Himalayas which receive low rainfall and exhibit high land surface temperature between 18°C-28°C in July and August.
- Consequences of Cloudbursts: Flashfloods, landslides, damage to infrastructure such as roads, bridges, etc.
Cloudbursts Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (National Disaster Management Plan, 2019)
- Understanding risk: Compile and maintain data on cloudburst events, Landslide Hazard Zonation, etc.
- Invest in DRR: Repair and maintain natural drainage systems, rivulets, etc., to ensure unhindered flow of storm water, etc.
- Capacity building: Enhance capabilities of local bodies to prepare and cope with cloudburst events, promote use of insurance, risk transfer, etc.
