A devastating cloudburst in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district has triggered flash floods, wreaking havoc in the high-altitude villages of Dharali. But what exactly is a cloudburst, and why is it so destructive? Let’s break it down.
A cloudburst is one of the most extreme weather events in the Indian Himalayas. It dumps an enormous amount of rain within a small area over a very short period. Imagine a month’s worth of rain pouring down in just an hour. That’s the terrifying power of a cloudburst.
The India Meteorological Department defines it as rainfall exceeding 100 millimetres per hour, accompanied by strong winds and lightning, covering 20-30 square kilometres. However, a 2023 study by researchers from IIT Jammu and the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, refines this definition. Their research, published in the *International Handbook of Disaster Research*, describes it as sudden rainfall between 100-250 millimetres per hour within just one square kilometre.
Why is Uttarakhand so vulnerable? The Indian Himalayas are a hotspot for extreme weather—cloudbursts, heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides. Climate change is only making things worse, increasing both the frequency and intensity of these disasters. Monsoon seasons here are particularly dangerous, with districts like Uttarkashi and Himachal Pradesh frequently bearing the brunt.
The damage is catastrophic. Homes collapse. Roads and bridges vanish under torrents of water. Landslides bury entire villages. And tragically, lives are lost. Areas between 1,000-2,000 metres elevation are at the highest risk. These are the densely populated valleys of the Himalayas, where geography and weather collide with deadly consequences. Uttarkashi, sitting at 1,160 metres, fits right into this danger zone.
Recent data suggests cloudbursts in Uttarakhand are becoming more severe and frequent compared to other Himalayan regions. Just last month, on June 29, a sudden cloudburst near the Yamunotri route left an under-construction hotel in ruins and eight workers missing. Earlier, on July 26, heavy rains in Rudraprayag triggered landslides, blocking the Kedarnath trek and forcing the evacuation of 1,600 pilgrims.
The situation demands urgent action. Researchers are calling for better policies and disaster management strategies to mitigate the impact of cloudbursts. With climate change intensifying, understanding and preparing for these disasters is no longer optional—it’s a necessity.