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Cloudburst in Itanagar triggers landslips, flood-like situation


Why is it in the news?

  • A sudden cloudburst hit Itanagar on the morning of June 23, causing landslips and creating flood-like conditions in the area, according to officials.
  • Numerous vehicles were stranded on the vital highway connecting to the state capital.

More about the news

  • Following the cloudburst, landslides occurred across different parts of Itanagar and nearby regions, with flooding reported along various sections of NH-415, as per the Disaster Management Department.
  • The district administration warned against entering rivers and landslide-prone areas, urging people to seek safety due to the heavy downpour. The administration has established seven relief camps for those affected.
About Cloudburst:

·        A cloudburst is a sudden and intense weather phenomenon characterized by heavy rainfall over a small, localized area, primarily caused by convective clouds, such as cumulonimbus clouds.

·        Typically lasting from minutes to a few hours, it can bring precipitation exceeding 100mm/h across a geographical region of approximately 20-30 square km.

·        In the Indian Subcontinent, cloudbursts often occur when monsoon clouds move northwards from the Bay of Bengal or Arabian Sea, occasionally resulting in rainfall rates of up to 75 millimetres per hour, affecting regions from the plains to the Himalayas.

·        Prediction: Forecasting cloudbursts remains challenging due to their rapid development over short periods. While the India Meteorological Department forecasts rainfall events in advance, they do not predict the exact amount of rainfall, focusing instead on categories like light, heavy, or very heavy rainfall. This limitation applies universally across meteorological agencies worldwide.

·        Consequences of Cloudbursts: Flash floods, Landslides, Mudflows and Soil erosion

What is a Landslide?

·        A landslide is the movement of rock, debris, or earth down a slope, driven by gravity.

·        It falls under “mass wasting,” which encompasses downward soil and rock movements influenced directly by gravity.

·        Common in mountainous areas, landslides are influenced by factors like soil type, geological conditions, and slope steepness.

·        Natural triggers include heavy rainfall, earthquakes, snowmelt, and flooding.

·        Anthropogenic activities such as excavation, hill cutting, infrastructure development, and overgrazing can also induce landslides.

·        In India, rainfall-induced landslides are frequent occurrences.

 

Subject:

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