Understanding Cloudbursts: The Cause of Recent Chaos in India and Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Cloudbursts are wreaking havoc in the mountains of India and Pakistan. These sudden, heavy rains bring chaos, leading to severe flooding and landslides. Tragically, around 300 people lost their lives in Buner, a district in northwestern Pakistan, due to one such cloudburst. Flash floods crushed homes and devastated entire villages.

Earlier this month, Uttarakhand in northern India also faced a cloudburst. Videos captured floodwaters ramming through the Himalayan village of Dharali. Notably, a similar incident in 2013 claimed over 6,000 lives and impacted thousands of villages in the region.

So, what exactly is a cloudburst?

A cloudburst happens when an overwhelming amount of rain—more than 100 millimeters (about 4 inches)—falls within an hour in a small area of about 30 square kilometers (11.6 square miles). It’s like a rain bomb, unleashing destruction swiftly. Conditions for cloudbursts include warm, moist air, high humidity, and unstable weather patterns.

These weather events require specific conditions to occur. As warm, moist air rises over mountains, it cools and forms heavy clouds. When these clouds can’t hold their moisture any longer, they burst, resulting in rapid and intense rainfall.

Both India and Pakistan are particularly prone to cloudbursts because of their geography. The Himalayas and surrounding mountain ranges create ideal conditions for these extreme weather events. Climate change has intensified this issue. Warmer temperatures mean air can hold more moisture, leading to more sudden downpours.

Traditionally, South Asia has two monsoon seasons. However, climate change is disrupting this pattern, causing unpredictable rainfall and intense flooding. Instead of steady rain, people now experience intense storms followed by dry spells.

Predicting cloudbursts remains a challenge, according to Asfandyar Khan Khattak, a Pakistani official. He emphasized that no forecasting system can pinpoint the exact time and location of these events. Even with early warning systems in place, sometimes the rain falls so suddenly that communities can’t react in time.

While it’s tough to predict cloudbursts, there are precautionary steps individuals can take. Community organization SOST suggests avoiding building homes near rivers and valleys. People should also keep an emergency kit ready and avoid traveling in hilly areas during heavy rainfall.

Experts note that climate change is a primary factor in the increased frequency of cloudbursts. Each degree Celsius rise in temperature can allow air to hold about 7% more moisture, heightening the risk of heavy bursts of rain. Additionally, melting glaciers are altering weather patterns, making rain more erratic.

Khalid Khan, a former secretary for climate change in Pakistan, states, “Rising temperatures have supercharged the water cycle, leading to more intense rainfall.” The effects of climate change are forcing communities to rethink how they prepare for and respond to these extreme weather events.

Understanding cloudbursts and their implications is critical. As we face a changing climate, awareness and preparation can help mitigate the impacts on vulnerable communities.

Source link

Weather, General news, Pakistan, India, Asia Pacific, South Asia, Climate and environment, World news, World News, Climate