Q13.Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples.

A cloudburst is an extreme weather event characterized by sudden, intense rainfall exceeding 100mm per hour over a small geographical area (20-30 sq km) for a short duration.

Mechanism and Occurrence

It involves warm, moist air rising rapidly (due to orographic lift or strong convection), forming towering cumulonimbus clouds. Strong updrafts prevent precipitation, accumulating vast amounts of supercooled water. When updrafts weaken, this water suddenly collapses as a torrential downpour. The Indian subcontinent, especially the Himalayas and Western Ghats, is highly prone due to monsoon moisture, steep topography, and high humidity.

Recent Examples

• Amarnath Yatra (2022): A cloudburst near the holy cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir caused flash floods and casualties.
• Uttarakhand (2021 & 2013): Incidents like Chamoli (2021) and the devastating Kedarnath tragedy (2013) exemplify widespread devastation, flash floods, and landslides.

Such events necessitate robust early warning systems and disaster management to mitigate severe impacts like flash floods, landslides, infrastructure damage, and loss of life.