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Cloud Brust in Pakistan 2025

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 Cloud Burst



Natural disasters are a growing concern worldwide, and one of the least understood but highly destructive phenomena is the cloud burst. A cloud burst refers to an extreme amount of rainfall occurring in a short span of time, usually within a few kilometers of area. The rainfall intensity during a cloud burst is so high that it can cause flash floods, landslides, and massive destruction in just a few minutes.

In recent years, cloud bursts have become more frequent in mountainous regions like Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bhutan, raising serious concerns about their connection with climate change.

This article will explore the causes, impacts, scientific explanations, and preventive measures for cloud bursts in detail.

 What is a Cloud Burst?

A cloud burst is an extreme form of rainfall, where precipitation exceeds 100 mm per hour within a small geographical area. Unlike normal rain, it is sudden, localized, and highly intense.

Key Characteristics of Cloud Burst 

  • Duration: 15 minutes to 2 hours
  • Rainfall Intensity: >100 mm/hour
  • Area: Limited to 10-20 km²
  • Common Regions: Mountainous terrains, hilly areas, and valleys

Causes of Cloud Burst 

1. Orographic Effect 

When monsoon clouds hit a mountain range, they are forced to rise. As they rise, the air cools down and condenses, causing sudden and intense rainfall, often resulting in a cloud burst.

2. Atmospheric Instability 

Rapid upward movement of warm air creates low-pressure conditions. When this moist air meets cold winds at higher altitudes, it leads to sudden condensation and violent downpours.

3. Climate Change and Global Warming 

Rising global temperatures increase the moisture-holding capacity of the atmosphere. As a result, heavier and more unpredictable rainfall patterns are observed, making cloud bursts more frequent.

4. Topographical Conditions 

Cloud bursts are more common in hilly and mountainous areas, where sudden lifting of moist air is possible.

Regions Most Affected by Cloud Bursts 

1. Pakistan 

  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir often face cloud bursts.
  • In 2022, a cloud burst in Islamabad caused urban flooding and road blockages.

  • In 2025, several cloudbursts hit Pakistan — in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Chakwal, Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Buner, and Swabi.

    They caused flash floods, property damage, and over 200 deaths (mainly in KP). Biggest disaster: Buner (KP) where extreme rainfall led to massive flooding and heavy loss of life.

2. India 

  • States like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir face regular cloud bursts.
  • The 2013 Kedarnath disaster was triggered by multiple cloud bursts.

3. Nepal and Bhutan 

  • Being mountainous countries, they are highly prone to cloud bursts leading to flash floods.

Effects of Cloud Burst 

1. Flash Floods 

The most immediate impact is sudden flash floods, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and roads.

2. Landslides 

Intense rainfall weakens soil strength, triggering landslides that block highways and destroy settlements.

3. Loss of Human Lives 

Hundreds of people die annually due to drowning, building collapses, and landslides caused by cloud bursts.

4. Destruction of Agriculture 

Crops are washed away, leading to food shortages and economic instability in affected areas.

5. Urban Flooding 

In cities, cloud bursts cause drainage systems to overflow, disrupting traffic and damaging infrastructure.

 Scientific Explanation of Cloud Bursts 

Meteorologists explain cloud bursts as a result of cumulonimbus cloud formation, where moisture-laden clouds rise rapidly and cannot hold the excess water. When the cloud fails to sustain the weight of accumulated water droplets, all the water is released at once, causing a downpour.

 Cloud Burst and Climate Change 

The link between climate change and cloud bursts is becoming clearer:

  • Warmer air holds 7% more moisture per degree Celsius rise in temperature.
  • This leads to short, intense rainfall episodes instead of long, moderate rains.
  • Increased deforestation and urbanization worsen the runoff problem, intensifying the damage.

Prevention and Preparedness

1. Early Warning Systems 

  • Installation of Doppler radars in hilly regions can help predict cloud bursts.
  • SMS alerts and weather apps can inform residents in advance.

2. Better Urban Planning 

  • Improving drainage systems in cities to handle excess water.
  • Avoiding construction in flood-prone and hilly areas.

3. Reforestation and Afforestation 

  • Planting more trees helps in absorbing excess rainwater, reducing floods.

4. Emergency Response Training 

  • Local communities should be trained in disaster response and evacuation drills.

5. Climate Action Policies 

  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally can help minimize extreme weather events like cloud bursts.

Case Studies 

Cloud Burst in Leh, 2010 

  • Heavy rainfall in Ladakh (India) killed 200 people and damaged hundreds of houses.

Islamabad, Pakistan 2022 

  • A cloud burst caused massive urban flooding, paralyzing traffic and damaging property.

Kedarnath Floods, 2013 

  • Triggered by cloud bursts, leading to one of the worst natural disasters in India.

Conclusion 

Cloud bursts are a serious environmental and human challenge, especially in South Asia’s mountainous regions. With increasing climate change, their frequency and intensity are rising. While we cannot stop them completely, early warning systems, sustainable planning, and climate action can minimize their impact.

Building awareness about cloud bursts is essential to protect human lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

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