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For many years, people in Himachal Pradesh didn’t hear about cloudbursts very often. But today, it feels like every year we are hearing about them — heavy rains, landslides, floods, and damage to roads and homes.
So what’s really happening? Is this something new, or have cloudbursts always been there?
Let’s understand clearly.
đź’§ What is a Cloudburst?
A cloudburst is when a huge amount of rain falls suddenly — usually more than 10 cm (100 mm) in just one hour , or 15–20 cm in a few hours , over a small area.
This sudden heavy rain causes:
- Flash floods
- Landslides
- Damage to houses, roads, and crops
- Danger to people living in hilly areas
🔍 Why Are We Hearing About It More Now?
There are two main reasons:
1. Climate Change
Because of global warming, rainfall patterns are changing . Rain comes less often, but when it does come, it’s heavier and more dangerous.
“Extreme rainfall events are increasing in the Himalayas.”
— India Meteorological Department (IMD)
“The frequency of cloudbursts has gone up since the early 2000s.”
— IIT Kanpur Research
2. Better Reporting and Technology
Earlier, even if a cloudburst happened in a remote village, no one outside would know. Today:
- Mobile phones and internet spread news fast.
- Weather stations warn us before heavy rains.
- News channels and social media share updates quickly.
So yes, we are seeing more cloudbursts both because they are actually happening more often and because we’re better at noticing them .
đź“ś History of Major Cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh Since 1990
Let’s look at how often cloudbursts have occurred in Himachal Pradesh over the last 30+ years.
| 1994 | Chamba | Heavy rain caused flash floods in Ravi River; some villages were cut off. |
| 1998 | Kangra | Unseasonal heavy rains damaged crops and roads. |
| 2003 | Mandi | Localized cloudburst affected villages near Beas River. |
| 2005 | Shimla | Sudden heavy rain led to landslides on Hindustan-Tibet Road. |
| 2009 | Kullu | Flash floods after heavy rain disrupted tourism and transport. |
| 2010 | Una | Sudden rain caused local flooding and crop damage. |
| 2013 | Lahaul-Spiti | Cloudburst triggered massive landslides, cutting off Manali-Leh Highway. |
| 2014 | Solan | Heavy rains and landslides disrupted rail and road traffic. |
| 2015 | Sirmaur | Monsoon rains turned into extreme events, damaging infrastructure. |
| 2017 | Kinnaur | Cloudburst damaged apple orchards and homes. |
| 2018 | Bilaspur | Heavy monsoon rains caused rivers to overflow and flood villages. |
| 2019 | Hamirpur | Multiple incidents of landslides and flash floods reported. |
| 2020 | Mandi, Kullu | Repeated cloudbursts during monsoon season; rescue operations launched. |
| 2021 | Una, Bilaspur | Unusual rain ruined crops and flooded villages. |
| 2022 | Kangra, Chamba | Flash floods damaged roads and homes; tourists rescued. |
| 2023-2024-2025 | Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti | IMD issued red alerts; landslides blocked key routes. |
⚠️ Notice : From 2013 onwards , cloudbursts are being reported almost every year — sometimes more than once a year.
🧑‍🔬 What Do Experts Say?
Here’s what trusted institutions tell us:
âś… India Meteorological Department (IMD)
“Rainfall in the northwestern Himalayas, including Himachal Pradesh, is becoming more intense and unpredictable .”
âś… Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
“South Asia is experiencing more frequent and stronger rainfall extremes due to rising temperatures.”
âś… Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun
“Melting glaciers and warmer weather make the region more prone to sudden rainfall and disasters like cloudbursts.”
🤔 So Was This Always Happening?
Yes, cloudbursts did happen before — but not this often. Earlier:
- They were rare.
- They were not widely recorded or known.
- Fewer people lived in risky areas.
Now:
- More people live in the hills.
- Tourism is high — more visitors in danger zones.
- Construction without planning makes things worse.
So while cloudbursts are not new, their frequency and impact are growing .
🛡️ What Can We Do?
We must take action:
- Learn about weather warnings and follow safety rules.
- Avoid building homes or roads in risky areas.
- Protect trees and forests — they help prevent landslides.
- Support climate-friendly habits: save energy, reduce waste, plant trees.
🧠Final Thought
Cloudbursts are becoming more common due to climate change , and our better access to information helps us notice them more. The good news is: by learning and acting today, we can protect ourselves and our future.
Let’s stay alert, stay safe, and care for our environment.
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