Cloudbursts are basically short term intense rainfall events over a small region. According to the data provided by Indian Meteorological Department, it is an uncertain weather phenomenon with unexpected precipitation exceeding the limit of 100mm/h over a geographical region measuring approximately 20-30 square km.

How do they happen? 

It is a scientific phenomenon that when the warm winds of the monsoon get mixed with the cold winds, it leads to the formation of these huge clouds, which when burst leads to high scale rainfall. It is also due to the topographic factors. They are most likely to happen in mountainous regions due to the topographic conditions of the place. In the current scenario, they are occurring at planes too, due to the changing environment which is not at all safe for the country and its people. This brings us to our next question.

How are they dangerous? 

For a country like India, which has already suffered a lot during the pandemic, losing more lives is not normal at all. Due to the huge amount of rain involved, the cloudbursts become this dangerous. Especially if it lasts for several hours, the danger intensifies. Moreover, floods are often associated with cloudbursts as heavy rainfall raises the sea level which leads to large scale destruction of the area and leads to a high number of deaths. The huge water waves sweep people as well as animals and destroy the area too where cloudbursts happen. Topographical conditions like steep hills also favour the formation of cloudbursts.

From a study that was published last year, the meteorological factors behind the happening of cloudbursts in Kedarnath were concluded. There are not just one or two but a lot of factors leading to the cloudbursts. Atmospheric pressure, atmospheric temperature, huge rainfall, the rising water content in clouds, cloud cover, wind fraction, direction of the wind and the relative humidity. The results of the study also showed that there prevails maximum level of humidity and cloud cover, while the wind becomes slow and the temperature falls too.

During a cloudburst, the overall scenario becomes very scary to even imagine. The whole sky gets covered with big condensing clouds, and the rain falls at a very high rate and in just a few minutes the whole area gets filled with water.

The mortality rate went very high during the pandemic. The country witnessed many deaths during the second wave of the COVID-19 virus as the health sector of the country miserably failed. Therefore, the country cannot afford more uncertain deaths of the youth, at least not from a cloudburst.

Is this the end of cloudbursts? 

Well, the simple answer to this question is a bug no. The major reason behind this is the rising climate change across the globe. A study reported that climate change will severely affect cloudbursts. In the month of May, the world meteorological department reported that there are 40% chances of the global climate rising by 1.5 degrees Celsius. Moreover, there is a 90% chance that one year between 2021 and 2025 will be the hottest year so far. But how does climate change lead to cloudbursts?

Moreover, according to the reports, it is expected that there will be a rise in the level of short term intensive rainfalls and they will become more frequent. Hence, we will surely witness more cloudbursts in the upcoming months and the whole blame behind this goes to us, as we are the major players of the rising climate change. The climate will further warm and therefore the frequency of cloudbursts will also rise.

Can cloudbursts be predicted? 

The prediction of a cloudburst is near to impossible. As said by Subimal Ghosh, who belongs to the department of civil engineering from IIT Bombay, it is a very difficult task and it is very challenging to predict a cloudburst in advance. The reason behind this is the short period of rainfall that occurs during the pandemic. In this short period, it becomes very difficult and analyses the situation and therefore the prediction can be done.

However, we should always take some precautions while visiting areas prone to cloudbursts. To reduce the fatality of the cloudbursts, the government should take appropriate measures for the same. Some of the measures which can be taken by the government to protect its people are-

Introducing better flood control systems, modify the homes and businesses in order to help them withstand floods, take measures against climate change, introduce plant trees strategically in order to prevent flooding, increase its spending on flood defences and much more. Further, the people should realise that their lives are very precious and they should not risk it and take avoid visiting mountains and other prone regions during this time of the year.