What Is Cloudburst: A cloudburst refers to a sudden and intense rainfall event, usually producing in an hour over an area not more than a few square kilometers more than 100 mm within a short period of time, within a mountainous or hilly region. Often, such nature would lead to flash floods, landslides, and destruction on a large scale. Of late, at least three such events have been reported in India: the Wayanad landslide in Kerala, (which occurred 2024) and the Uttarakhand disaster (2025), both serving dire reminders of the volatility of climate.
On July 30, 2024, a landslide caused massive damage in Wayanad, Kerala. With more than 392 people reported dead and 150 missing. This natural calamity affected several villages in the Meppadi panchayat which were decimated into rocks and rubble and rendered hundreds displaced out of their homes and into eternity. Within just a year, however, in August 2025, Uttarakhand suffered a similar catastrophe when its mountain village was hit by flash floods due to a cloudburst that took away an entire settlement. Now, these unfortunate accidents bring all sorts of ‘what ifs’ regarding the questions: Are these natural coincidences, or a consequence of a changing climate and unchecked development in eco-sensitive zones?
When moist air rises rapidly because of the terrain, it gets cooled very rapidly. And gives rise to cumulus clouds of very high density and then letting out rain explosively within the short time, gives birth to cloud bursts.
Cloudbursts are definitely very hard to predict and usually cover about 20-30 sq. km-having rainfall exceeding 100 mm/hour.
Leh: 250-mm rainfall caused death of 200+ in hours. All these were later termed as cloudburst.
Kedarnath, Uttarakhand : Flash flood events were responsible for over 5700 deaths during the monsoon of 2013.
Mumbai analysis: In 2005, record 944 mm rain paralyzed city, killing 4,000+.
Copenhagen, Denmark (2011): A cloudburst of 150 mm caused $1 billion damages.
Himachal Pradesh (2023): 20 Death in sudden deluge, with 700 stranded.
Also Read: 10 Deadliest Floods in Indian History That Shook the Nation
They’re all climate signs but not all isolated incidents; the two tragedies are warning bells for climate change. With cloudbursts striking more frequently and intensively, the demand for enhanced forecasting, disaster preparedness, and eco-conscious planning rises. Understanding these events is no longer optional; survival depends on it.
Also Read: Most Devastating Incidents in India 2025: Is Universe Warning Us?
Share
Most Devastating Incidents in India 2025: Is Universe Warning Us?
Massive Heist: Truck With 12000 Samsung Devices Worth Rs100 Cr Devices Stolen
