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According to the Indian Meteorological Department, which of the following is/are the feature/features of cloudburst? 1. Heavy precipitation in short period of time in a limited geographical area 2. It occurs generally during monsoon period and triggers flash flood and landslides Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cloudburst is defined as an extreme weather event characterized by intense rainfall of 100 mm (10 cm) or more within one hour over a localized area of approximately 20–30 square kilometers [3]. This confirms the first feature regarding heavy precipitation in a short period within a limited geographical area. Regarding the second feature, the Ministry of Earth Sciences and IMD records indicate that cloudbursts in India primarily occur during the monsoon season, particularly over orographically dominant regions like the Himalayas, Western Ghats, and Northeastern states [3]. These events are notorious for triggering sudden, devastating flash floods and landslides due to the rapid accumulation of water on steep terrain [2]. Historical instances like the 2013 Kedarnath and 2010 Leh disasters exemplify how these monsoon-driven events lead to catastrophic landslides and flooding [4].
Sources
- [1] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/what-is-a-cloudburst/article69971286.ece
- [3] https://moes.gov.in/sites/default/files/LS-in-English-2359-15-03-2023.pdf
- [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > cloudburst > p. 70
- [4] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Uttarakhand Cloudburst (Himalayan Tsunami) > p. 73