What Is a Cloudburst? Causes, Effects & Safety Tips Explained
By : Subrat Kumar Pattanayak
Discover what is cloudburst & its causes, devastating effects, and essential safety tips to stay protected.
What is Cloudburst and how much rainfall does it bring?
Let's find out.
A cloud is made up of tiny droplets of water or ice that float in the sky. When water or water vapor rises up into the upper layers of the atmosphere in the form of very fine particles and mixes with cold air, clouds are formed.
Now, let's understand what is cloudburst ?
When a very small area receives an extremely large amount of rainfall in a very short period of time, it is commonly referred to as a cloudburst. In reality, the cloud doesn't actually burst, but the rainfall is so intense that it seems as if a large plastic bag full of water in the sky has suddenly burst open. That’s why it is called a cloudburst, and in English, it is known as a Cloudburst.
What Causes a Cloudburst?
Cloudbursts occur when:-
i) Warm, moist air rises rapidly into the atmosphere.
ii) As it rises, the moisture condenses quickly into heavy rain clouds
(usually cumulonimbus).
iii)The condensed water droplets fall rapidly due to gravity, resulting in an intense downpour.
How much rainfall occurs during a cloudburst?
According to the Meteorological Department, when 100 mm or more rainfall occurs within one hour or less over a small area of about 20 to 30 square kilometers, it is termed as a cloudburst.
Generally, cloudbursts are frequently observed during the monsoon season in regions like the Himalayan mountains, the Western Ghats, and northern Pakistan. However, such events can happen anywhere under suitable conditions.
What kind of damage can a cloudburst cause?
Cloudbursts cause widespread destruction. Since these often occur in mountainous regions, villages and towns built on or near hills can suddenly get flooded in a very short span of time. These floods usually carry along with them large debris like fallen trees, rocks, and soil, making them even more devastating.
As a result, entire villages or urban areas can get buried under debris, and rescue or relief operations often face difficulties due to the inaccessibility of affected areas. Consequently, emergency aid cannot reach people in time, and there is heavy loss to life and property.
Safety Precautions:
If you are living in or planning to travel to such vulnerable areas, always keep yourself informed about the weather conditions of that region in advance. Make sure to stay up-to-date with weather alerts and forecasts at all times.
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