Experts blame climate change, deforestation for frequent cloudbursts
Experts have expressed concern over the frequent cloudbursts in Kashmir, attributing the unpredictable weather phenomena to climate change and deforestation.
In the recent past, cloudbursts have wreaked havoc in the valley leading to loss of lives and widespread destruction. Although cloudbursts mostly occur in hilly areas, experts said, it is very difficult to predict when they are going to strike.“It usually occurs during monsoon period but there is no mechanism which can predict the cloudburst. The hilly areas are more prone to cloudbursts,” said Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Head, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir.
Experts believe that climate change plays a significant role in disrupting Himalayan topography “that appears to contribute to cloudbursts”.
“Cloudburst is not a new thing in Kashmir but what is worrying is its frequency in last few months. It is mainly attributed to the weather change and the Himalayan belt is more susceptible to it due to its fragility,” Romshoo said.
A cloudburst is an extreme amount of precipitation, sometimes accompanied by hail and thunder that normally lasts no longer than a few minutes but is capable of creating flood conditions.
The event leads to debris flow, landslide and eventually the blockade of river channels, which consequently wreak havoc downstream. Cloudbursts are generally infrequent as they occur only via orographic lift or occasionally when two wind patterns meet at the same time.
Noted environmentalist, Dr Abdul Majeed Kak said deforestation adds to the impact of cloudbursts. “The destruction that we are seeing nowadays due to cloudburst is immense and it is only due to landslides caused by deforestation,” Kak said.
He said forests act as a defensive mechanism against the cloudbursts and keep the soil intact when hit by a thunderstorm.
“Cloudburst usually takes place in hilly areas. Earlier, forests used to absorb it by not letting the soil to degrade but with less trees we are seeing massive landslides causing damage in the low lying areas,” Kak said.
Director Meteorological Department, Sonam Lotus said mixing of a warm air parcel with cooler air at the same time results in sudden condensation leading to the cloudburst. “When the wind patterns meet, it creates a cloudburst. It cannot be predicted, it can happen anytime,” he said.
However, Lotus said while what happened in Ganderbal was a cloudburst “most of the other incidents were just severe thunderstorms”.
“The cloudburst is caused when it rains 100 milimetre or more in one hour and can stretch 15 to 20 km on vertical extension,” Lotus said.
Meanwhile, Meteorological Department has predicted wet weather for next six days with scattered/widespread, fairly widespread and isolated rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir. However, there is no weather advisory for the next five days.
