Cloudbursts in Uttarakhand: Climate Change or a Himalayan Curse? Here's What Triggered the Disaster
Share this article:
A terrifying wave of flash floods swept through Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday after multiple cloudbursts hit high-altitude villages like Dharali and Sukhi Top. While residents are grappling with damage to homes and roads, the bigger question looms - what's behind these repeated cloudburst disasters in the Himalayan region?
Let’s break it down.
What is a Cloudburst ?
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cloudburst is when rain exceeds 100 mm per hour, often accompanied by fierce winds and lightning, and typically affects a small area of 20–30 sq km.
A 2023 study by IIT Jammu and the National Institute of Hydrology offers a narrower definition - calling it a "sudden downpour of rainfall in a range of 100-250 millimetres an hour in a short span covering a smaller spatial extent similar to one square kilometre".
In simple terms, it’s like the sky opening up and dumping a massive amount of rain in a very short time over a tiny region.
Why is Uttarakhand So Vulnerable ?
Uttarakhand lies in the fragile Himalayan belt, where steep slopes, high altitudes, and unstable terrain make it extremely susceptible to extreme weather. Cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and avalanches are common - and climate change is only making matters worse. “This results in widespread damage to property and lives, and potential flash floods and landslides. Houses collapse, traffic is disrupted and human casualties occur on a large scale,” the 2023 paper notes.
Research shows that most cloudbursts occur between 1,000 to 2,000 metres above sea level. Uttarkashi, sitting at around 1,160 metres, fits this danger zone perfectly. In fact, the 2023 study points out that the frequency of cloudbursts per unit area is “very high in Uttarakhand” compared to other parts of the Indian Himalayas.
Back on June 29, a cloudburst at Silai Band along the Barkot-Yamunotri route damaged an under-construction hotel and left several workers missing.
Each event echoes the same warning: these are no longer rare occurrences - they're becoming the new normal.
Whether it's the wrath of nature or the consequence of unchecked climate change, Uttarakhand’s cloudbursts are a growing concern. As monsoons become fiercer and more erratic, understanding these weather events - and preparing for them - is no longer optional. It's a necessity.
Let’s break it down.
What is a Cloudburst ?
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cloudburst is when rain exceeds 100 mm per hour, often accompanied by fierce winds and lightning, and typically affects a small area of 20–30 sq km. A 2023 study by IIT Jammu and the National Institute of Hydrology offers a narrower definition - calling it a "sudden downpour of rainfall in a range of 100-250 millimetres an hour in a short span covering a smaller spatial extent similar to one square kilometre".
In simple terms, it’s like the sky opening up and dumping a massive amount of rain in a very short time over a tiny region.
Why is Uttarakhand So Vulnerable ?
Uttarakhand lies in the fragile Himalayan belt, where steep slopes, high altitudes, and unstable terrain make it extremely susceptible to extreme weather. Cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and avalanches are common - and climate change is only making matters worse. “This results in widespread damage to property and lives, and potential flash floods and landslides. Houses collapse, traffic is disrupted and human casualties occur on a large scale,” the 2023 paper notes. Research shows that most cloudbursts occur between 1,000 to 2,000 metres above sea level. Uttarkashi, sitting at around 1,160 metres, fits this danger zone perfectly. In fact, the 2023 study points out that the frequency of cloudbursts per unit area is “very high in Uttarakhand” compared to other parts of the Indian Himalayas.
Recent Disasters Tell the Story
The Uttarkashi event isn’t isolated. Just a few weeks earlier, on July 26, Rudraprayag district saw landslides triggered by intense rain, blocking the Kedarnath trekking route and forcing the evacuation of over 1,600 Chardham pilgrims.Back on June 29, a cloudburst at Silai Band along the Barkot-Yamunotri route damaged an under-construction hotel and left several workers missing.
Each event echoes the same warning: these are no longer rare occurrences - they're becoming the new normal.
What Needs to Be Done?
Experts are ringing alarm bells. “Researchers call for concrete policies, planning and management of cloudburst events by national and global organisations.” Without coordinated planning, stronger infrastructure, and early warning systems, these disasters will continue to claim lives and destroy livelihoods.Whether it's the wrath of nature or the consequence of unchecked climate change, Uttarakhand’s cloudbursts are a growing concern. As monsoons become fiercer and more erratic, understanding these weather events - and preparing for them - is no longer optional. It's a necessity.
Next Story