The Lethal Dance of Monsoons: Cloudbursts Ravage South Asia
Cloudbursts, sudden heavy rainfalls, have caused devastating flash floods and landslides in Pakistan and India this monsoon season, resulting in hundreds of casualties. With climate change intensifying monsoons, cloudbursts have become more frequent, especially in the Himalayas, posing a significant challenge for accurate forecasting and disaster management.
Massive cloudbursts have battered Pakistan and India this monsoon season, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. These sudden, intense rainfalls have unleashed deadly flash floods and landslides, with hundreds reported dead. The monsoon, originating in the Bay of Bengal, sweeps across India and Pakistan, bringing warm, moisture-laden winds that condense when meeting cold mountain air, causing these catastrophic events.
Climate experts reveal that with global warming pushing subtropical jet streams further south, the intensity of cloudbursts has likely increased. Notably, regions like the Himalayas are experiencing more frequent deadly cloudbursts, with some recent events killing over 200 people in Pakistan's Buner and Uttarakhand in India. The unique geography of steep mountain valleys exacerbates the impact, concentrating rainfall into destructive torrents rather than spreading it across a wider area.
While forecasting cloudbursts remains a challenge, advancements in radar technology are helping track dense cloud formations, offering short-term warnings. However, experts, including Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority, stress that more precise prediction methods are needed to mitigate the catastrophic effects of these extreme weather events.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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