Cloudbursts due to mix of natural processes, human activity: Expert

In the wake of the flashflood in Kishtwar in which many people have been killed, experts say that cloudbursts in the Himalayan region are a consequence of combination of natural processes and human activities.

Rampant construction on waterways of nullahs and streams is another cause of the tragedies being witnessed in J&K and Ladakh.

Dr Yudhbir Singh, associate professor, Department of Geology, University of Jammu, said that the recent cloudbursts in the Himalayan region are becoming all too common. “It’s important to understand that these aren’t random events. They are a direct consequence of a combination of natural processes and human activities,” he said.

A cloudburst is essentially a sudden and extremely heavy downpour, where more than 100 mm of rain falls in a very small area in just one hour. The science behind it is fairly straightforward. It all starts with warm, moisture-filled air. Because of global warming, the Himalayan region is getting warmer faster than the rest of the world. This means the air can hold more water vapour.

“When this moisture-rich air hits the Himalayan mountains, it rises. As it goes up, the air cools downs and all that water vapour turns into tiny droplets, forming huge, towering clouds. Inside these clouds, powerful upward currents of air are so strong that they hold the water droplets, preventing them from falling as rain. The cloud keeps getting heavier and heavier with all this moisture. Eventually, the upward currents can no longer support the immense weight and all the water is released at once in a sudden, catastrophic flood—a cloudburst,” said Dr Singh.

This problem is getting worse because of global warming and human activities like unplanned construction, deforestation and many more reasons which deteriorate the fragile mountain ecosystem, he said.

Heavy downpour is also being witnessed from time to time in the cold desert of Ladakh due to climatic changes. Flashfloods due to heavy rain were witnessed two days ago in Maan and Merak villages in Chushul constituency of the UT.

The natural calamity struck on Tuesday night at approximately 10.45 pm, following a massive thunderstorm near Pangong Lake. The intense rainfall led to sudden flashflood, resulting in widespread destruction across the region. Agricultural lands were submerged, several residential houses were severely damaged and essential infrastructure such as irrigation canals and roads was washed away or rendered unusable.

During a visit to the area on Thursday, Executive Councillor of the Leh Hill Council, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee, met the affected families, listened to their concerns and inspected the damaged sites. He expressed deep concern over the losses suffered by the local communities and assured that the Hill Council would take all necessary steps to provide relief and support.