Daily Mains Question - GS 1 - 7th June 2026
- Aditya
- 8 minutes ago
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Test your UPSC CSE 2026-27 preparation with today’s GS 1 Daily Mains Question — covering cloudbursts, extreme weather events, orographic rainfall, flash floods, landslides, climate change impacts, Himalayan vulnerability and disaster risk reduction in India’s mountainous regions.
Q. Cloudbursts have emerged as a recurring climate-related hazard in India’s mountainous regions. What are cloudbursts? Explain why they occur predominantly in mountainous regions. Discuss their impact and suggest measures to reduce disaster risks associated with them. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Answer. A cloudburst is a highly localized and intense rainfall event occurring over a small geographical area within a short duration. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cloudburst refers to rainfall exceeding 100 mm per hour over an area of about 20–30 sq. km. Such extreme precipitation events have become increasingly significant due to climate change and rising weather variability, particularly in the Himalayan and Western Ghats regions.
Why do Cloudbursts Predominantly Occur in Mountainous Regions?
1. Orographic Lift Mechanism
Moist air masses are forced to ascend mountain slopes.
Rising air expands and cools, leading to rapid condensation and intense rainfall.
2. Topographical Barriers
Mountains obstruct horizontal air movement.
Moisture-laden clouds accumulate and release rainfall over a confined area.
3. Low-Pressure Formation at Higher Altitudes
Mountain summits often create localized low-pressure zones that attract dense cloud formations.
4. Collision of Air Currents
Opposing air masses converge against mountain barriers, triggering sudden and concentrated precipitation.
5. Climate Change Amplification
Rising temperatures increase atmospheric moisture-holding capacity (~7% more moisture per 1°C warming, as per the Clausius-Clapeyron relationship), intensifying extreme rainfall events.
Impacts of Cloudbursts
Environmental Impacts
Flash floods and debris flows.
Landslides and slope destabilization.
Riverbank erosion and ecosystem degradation.
Increased risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the Himalayas.
Socio-Economic Impacts
Loss of human lives and livestock.
Damage to roads, bridges, hydropower projects and communication networks.
Destruction of houses, agricultural land and tourism infrastructure.
Disruption of livelihoods and local economies.
Disaster Risk Dimension
Cloudburst → Flash Flood → Landslide → Infrastructure Collapse → Human & Economic Losses |
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) defines flash floods as floods occurring within 4–6 hours of the triggering event, making response time extremely limited.
Measures to Reduce Disaster Risks
Structural Measures
Expansion of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and Doppler Weather Radars.
Strengthening drainage systems and slope stabilization works.
Climate-resilient infrastructure in vulnerable mountain regions.
Non-Structural Measures
High-resolution cloudburst hazard mapping using GIS and satellite data.
Land-use regulation in ecologically fragile zones.
Community-based disaster preparedness and evacuation plans.
Integration of Early Warning Systems (EWS) with mobile-based alerts.
Nature-Based Solutions
Afforestation and reforestation of degraded slopes.
Conservation of forests, wetlands and natural drainage channels.
Watershed management and soil conservation programmes.
Cloudbursts represent a growing manifestation of climate-induced extreme weather events in India’s mountain ecosystems. Addressing the challenge requires a combination of advanced forecasting, resilient infrastructure, ecosystem-based adaptation, scientific land-use planning and community preparedness. A proactive risk-reduction approach is essential to safeguard lives, livelihoods and fragile mountain environments in the era of climate change.
Value Addition: Disaster Risk Reduction Cycle: Prevention → Preparedness → Early Warning → Response → Recovery → Resilience Building. |
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