Extreme Weather Events - Understanding Cloudbursts and Their Causes

A cloudburst is a sudden and extreme rainfall event, where more than 100 mm of rain falls within an hour over a small area.

In India, cloudbursts are common in the Himalayas and hilly regions. Scientifically, they occur when warm, moist air rapidly lifts due to mountain slopes.

The air cools and condenses, forming dense clouds. When these clouds cannot hold the moisture, they release it all at once, causing torrential rain.

Unlike normal showers, the rainfall is concentrated and intense, often leading to flash floods, landslides, and destruction.

Climate change and rising temperatures are making such events more frequent in India. Cloudbursts remain one of the most dangerous monsoon phenomena.