Himachal cloudbursts rewrite monsoon map

Rising global temperatures, largely driven by climate change and human interference, are intensifying the fury of cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh. Once considered rare, these extreme weather events are now striking the state with alarming frequency and severity.

Weather scientists note that India has warmed by nearly 0.62°C, allowing the atmosphere to hold more moisture — about 7% extra for every degree rise. In the fragile Himalayan region, elevation-dependent warming accelerates glacial melt, destabilises slopes and fuels volatile weather systems. Snowmelt and glacial-fed streams add surface moisture, while landslides often create temporary lakes that further disrupt local hydrology.

The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority paints a grim picture: 169 landslides, 53 flashfloods and 19 cloudbursts were reported in just three months (June–August 2024). This monsoon season alone, the state has already witnessed 72 landslides, 38 cloudbursts and 74 flashfloods by mid-August. Districts like Mandi, Kullu, Chamba and Kangra remain the worst-hit, though Shimla and Kinnaur are now reporting dangerous events as well.

A cloudburst — defined as rainfall exceeding 100 mm per hour over a small area — can unleash catastrophic flashfloods and landslides in mountainous terrain. Natural triggers are being compounded by human actions: unchecked construction, deforestation and encroachment into riverbeds weaken slope stability and choke natural drainage. Large hydroelectric reservoirs also feed vapour build-up, amplifying risks.

“Satellite and IMD data show a clear rise in high-intensity rainfall across the Western Himalayas,” warns Dr Satish Bhardwaj, Head of Environmental Sciences at Dr YS Parmar University. “This demands urgent steps — real-time monitoring, early warning systems, resilient land use practices and climate adaptation in infrastructure.”

Dr Bhardwaj explains that during a cloudburst, precipitable water levels can reach 53 mm and CAPE values soar beyond 1100 J/kg, making the atmosphere highly unstable. In hilly terrain, steep slopes accelerate water flow, magnifying destruction far beyond what occurs in plains.

Grim picture of state

• The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority paints a grim picture: 169 landslides, 53 flashfloods and 19 cloudbursts were reported in just three months (June-August 2024)
• This monsoon season alone, the state has already witnessed 72 landslides,

  38 cloudbursts and 74 flashfloods by mid-August. Districts like Mandi, Kullu, Chamba and Kangra remain the worst-hit, though Shimla and Kinnaur are now reporting dangerous events as well

Adding to the danger, rampant construction has moved closer to riverbeds, rivulets and snow-fed streams, where water is both lifeline and threat. Automatic weather stations, equipped with upgraded GPRS systems, now provide data every 15 minutes, enabling near-real-time monitoring — but science alone is not enough.

Dr Bhardwaj calls for bio-engineering solutions: building check dams, restoring forests, creating percolation tanks and terracing slopes to slow runoff. “Fragile Himalayan valleys cannot withstand sudden torrents,” he stresses, urging eco-sensitive zoning, stronger drainage systems and community-based warning networks.

“The danger is imminent,” he cautions, “but with science, planning, and respect for ecological limits, the impact can be reduced.”