Why Cloudbursts Happen in Manali & the Himalayas
I’m not a technically qualified person to answer this but what I have understood and read about Cloudbursts and flashfloods is that the following significant factors are the reasons for these unfortunate calamities-
Geographical Setup
Manali sits in the mid-Himalayas where moisture-laden monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea rise sharply due to the tall mountains.
This sudden uplift causes rapid cooling and condensation, forming dense clouds.
Localized, Intense Rainfall
Unlike normal rain, cloudbursts are hyper-local events (a few square km area).
Clouds get “trapped” in valleys, and when they can’t hold more moisture, it suddenly dumps >100mm rainfall per hour—much more than the soil and rivers can absorb.
Climate Change Effect
Warmer air holds more moisture. Rising global temperatures mean the Himalayas are seeing heavier, more intense rainfall in shorter bursts.
Glacier retreat and warming also destabilize slopes, worsening landslides during cloudbursts.
Can We Stop Cloudbursts?
I guess NO ! We cannot stop cloudbursts—they are natural weather phenomena. But we can reduce their damage through planning and adaptation:
Stop unregulated construction along rivers, nallahs, and steep slopes.
Maintain buffer zones where water can flow naturally.
Planting deep-rooted native trees helps absorb water and stabilize slopes.
Protect upper catchments from deforestation and overgrazing.
Doppler radars, satellite monitoring, and local rain gauges can detect extreme rainfall.
Community alert systems (sirens, SMS) can save lives.
Stronger bridges, culverts, and drainage systems that can handle sudden water surges.
Avoid blocking natural drainage with roads, hotels, and dams.
Community Preparedness
Train locals, hoteliers, and tourists in evacuation drills.
Identify safe shelters on higher ground.
