Which of the following statements with regard to cloudburst is/are correct? 1. It is defined as sudden localized very heavy downpour with cloud thunder and lightning. 2. It mostly occurs in the hilly areas. 3. It results into very high intensity of rainfall, i.e., 250 mm-300 mm in a couple of hours. 4. It occurs only during daytime. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

A cloudburst is defined as a sudden, localized, and extremely heavy downpour, often accompanied by thunder and lightning [2]. It is characterized by intense precipitation, typically exceeding 100 mm per hour over a small geographical area. While cloudbursts can occur in plains or deserts, they are most frequent in hilly and mountainous regions, such as the Himalayas, due to orographic lifting and the locking of convective systems against steep terrain [1]. Regarding intensity, while the standard definition is 100 mm/hour, events can reach 250 mm or more in a few hours during extreme cases [1]. Statement 4 is incorrect because cloudbursts are driven by atmospheric instability and moisture-laden clouds rather than solar position; they can occur at any time, day or night, depending on weather conditions. Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct.

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > Cloudburst > p. 28
2. [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > cloudburst > p. 70