Q2(iv). Briefly discuss the phenomena of Cloudburst.

A cloudburst is a sudden, extremely heavy rainfall event over a very small area in a short duration, often more than one hundred millimetres of rain in one hour.

Causes

• Strong vertical cloud development (cumulonimbus clouds)
• Warm, humid air uplifted rapidly in mountainous regions
• Orographic effect
• Moisture convergence due to monsoon depressions

Distribution

Common in the Himalayas (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir), Western Ghats and occasionally in arid regions.

Impacts

Flash floods, landslides, damage to settlements and agriculture.