What Is Cloudburst? Know Causes, Effects And Most Affected Areas In India

What is Cloudburst: Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand witnessed a devastating cloudburst on 6 August 2025, resulting in severe flooding. The disaster has claimed the lives of 4 people, while more than 50 people are reported missing, prompting urgent rescue operations. Such sudden cloudbursts not only threaten lives but also damage infrastructure, homes and agriculture, making recovery difficult for the affected area.

Most often, people living in hilly or mountainous areas were the most severely impacted as the water cascaded down rapidly, quickly carrying rocks and debris. Over the last couple of years, numerous geographical parts of India have seen such deadly occurrences, particularly in monsoon seasons. It is necessary to understand the causes and impacts of such events and how to deal with them if we are in such geographical locations.

In this article, we will explore what cloudbursts are, the scientific and geographical factors behind them, their major effects and the Indian regions most vulnerable to this dangerous natural phenomenon.

What is a Cloudburst incident?

What is a cloudburst (Image: YouTube)

A cloudburst is a dangerous weather phenomenon with sudden and intense rainfall in a very short time over a small area. Sometimes, it is accompanied by hail and thunderstorms, creating flood conditions and loss of lives.

Cloudbursts often happen within 1-2 hours. The amount of rainfall can exceed 100mm (10cm) in an hour. Cloudbursts typically occur in mountainous or hilly regions. Such rainfall can lead to flash floods and landslides, the effect can heavy loss of life and heavy property damage.

ALSO READ:  Uttarkashi Cloudburst Updates: Over 130 Rescued, Several Still Missing As Search Operation On In Uttarakhand's Dharali | 10 Points

Scientific Causes of Cloudburst

Cloudbursts occur due to several scientific reasons. One important reason for a cloudburst is when air rises rapidly and gets saturated with moisture, particularly if it is hilly terrain, the warm air rises, cools rapidly and condenses, imparting heavy rain. Another reason is blocked air currents. For example, the situation occurs when monsoon clouds get blocked by mountain ranges, resulting in increased moisture in one area, which leads to heavy rains.

Additionally, weather disturbances like cyclones or low-pressure systems create unstable atmospheric conditions, which can also trigger a rapid and concentrated release of rain, leading to cloudbursts.

Major Effects of Cloudburst

Effects of cloudburst (Image: ANI)

Cloudbursts are sudden and intense weather events that occur mostly in hilly or mountainous regions. They happen without warning and release a massive amount of rain in a very short time.

1. Flash Floods & Landslides

2. Sudden water flow damages houses, roads and vehicles.

3. Water loosens soil and rocks, especially in hilly areas, causing dangerous landslides.

4. Loss of Life and Property

5. Homes collapse, people get swept away and there is a major loss of livestock and infrastructure.

6. Disruption in Communication due to mobile networks, electricity and roads is often cut off for days.

7. Agricultural Damage as crops are destroyed due to flooding, affecting farmers severely.

Most Affected Areas in India

Most affected areas by cloudburst (Image: Canva)

Geographical locations near mountains and valleys are more prone to cloudbursts because the terrain can trap rain-bearing clouds. This leads to intense moisture buildup and results in sudden, heavy rainfall within a short period, often causing flash floods and damage. Cloudbursts mainly occur in hilly and mountainous regions. Some highly vulnerable areas include:

1.  Jammu and Kashmir: Frequent cloudbursts in Pahalgam, Kishtwar and Amarnath regions.

2.  Himachal Pradesh: Kullu, Manali, Shimla, and Chamba face regular incidents during the monsoon.

3.  Uttarakhand: Areas like Kedarnath, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Joshimath are high-risk zones.

4.  Ladakh: Leh witnessed a deadly cloudburst in 2010, causing massive destruction.

5.  Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh: Eastern Himalayan regions also experience similar sudden rain events.

ALSO READ: Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Army Confirms 8–10 Soldiers Missing From Harsil Camp, Relief And Search Ops Underway

Safety Tips During Cloudburst Events

Some of the safety tips you must follow during situations of cloudburst and flooding;

• Stay updated with weather warnings.
• Avoid riverbanks and low-lying areas during heavy rains.
• Move to higher ground if flooding begins.
• Keep emergency supplies and documents ready.
• Don’t travel through flooded roads or landslide-prone zones.

Cloudbursts will continue to be a growing concern with climate change and rainy days that are hard to predict. While we cannot prevent cloudbursts from occurring, it is possible to prepare for them and mitigate potential impacts from such events. Learning about cloudbursts, understanding where potential danger spots may be, and being vigilant during the rainy season may prevent loss of life and potential damage to communities. Awareness and timely action are the first steps in preparing for extreme events safely.