Explain the process involved in the formation of cloudbursts and state their impact. Also, suggest measures to reduce the impact of cloudbursts.

According to IMD, more than 100mm of rain in a hour over an area of 30-40 sq km is called a cloudburst. In India most prone regions are: Himalayan states, Northeastern states, western ghats.

Recent cloudburst: August 2014 - Himachal Pradesh, June 2022 - Arunachal Pradesh. Coastal cities can also be affected as seen in Mumbai, Chennai floods 2018. Impact of cloudburst: 1) Land slide: Due to sudden release of water & saturation of durfain water level. Hilly terrain, Himalayan states are most prone for landslides. Eg: recent landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, 2024 took 200 lives. 2) Loss of Human life & property: Due to sudden impact & lack of time to respond. Many people lose their life & there is huge loss of property. 3) Spread of communicable disease: Due to flooding of water logging—which acts as breeding ground for various pathogens. There is spread of communicable water borne diseases. Eg: cholera, typhoid, malaria, dengue. 4) Disruption of critical infrastructure: Due to damage to roads, connectivity is hampered. There, rescue operation also suffer. 5) Economic & social disruption: The economic comes to a standstill as people are forced to migrate (food migration)—poor are more susceptible.

Various measures to reduce the impact of cloudbursts as given below: 1) Understanding the vulnerability profile of a geographical area—especially in Himalayan region by meteorological grass—by biological acuitive rocks to demarcate of present the establishment of human communities near it. Seen in case of wayanand landslide. 2) Weather forecasting by IMD: early warning system to prepare for any such calamity to come. 3) Community capacity building: Educating by spreading awareness regarding the most common disaster post in their area, by teaching them what to do. 4) During disaster: prompt rescue by moving them to safer place, participation of local communities. 5) Building rehabilitation shelter, giving financial assistance, help in recovering from the past disaster consequences. 6) Mitigation: Rebuilding infrastructure resilient to disaster—"build back better".