Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples.
A cloudburst is an extreme rainfall event where a very large amount of rain falls over a small area in a very short time, typically defined as over 100 mm of rainfall per hour.
Mechanism and Occurrence: They occur when moisture-laden air moves up a steep landform, like a mountain slope, and cools rapidly. This leads to the rapid condensation of clouds, but strong upward air currents prevent the raindrops from falling. When the updraft is no longer strong enough to hold the massive volume of water, the entire amount is released suddenly, causing a "burst." In the Indian subcontinent, they are most common in the Himalayan states during the monsoon season due to the region's orography.
Recent Examples:
- Amarnath, Jammu & Kashmir (July 2022): A localized cloudburst near the holy Amarnath cave shrine triggered flash floods, tragically leading to several deaths and washing away pilgrim camps.
- Himachal Pradesh (Monsoon 2023): Multiple cloudbursts and extreme rainfall events across Himachal Pradesh caused widespread flash floods, landslides, and immense destruction of infrastructure and property.
Answered By:
Sakshi Negi
Sakshi Negi is a Delhi-based journalist and content specialist with expertise in educational content and digital media, focusing particularly on government exam preparation and career guidance. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from NRAI School of Mass Communication and her background as a Kendriya Vidyalaya alumna, she brings unique insights into the Indian education system and government sector opportunities.
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Important Questions from GS3
Examine the pattern and trend of public expenditure on social services in the post-reforms period in India. To what extent this has been in consonance with achieving the objective of inclusive growth?
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What is the present world scenario of intellectual property rights with respect to life materials? Although, India is second in the world to file patents, still only a few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind this less commercialization.
What were the factors responsible for the successful implementation of land reforms in some parts of the country? Elaborate.
