Cloudburst: A Frequent Natural Disaster in India

National Disaster Management Group has identified cloudburst as one of the frequent natural disasters in India. According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Western Himalaya is suitable place for recurrent cloudburst in association with rainstorm. Common mechanism responsible for cloudburst process is known as Langmuir Precipitation. Colder clouds are more likely to precipitate than warm clouds because cold (deep) clouds have higher cloud tops than warm clouds. High concentration of aerosol trapped in the atmosphere and glaciers initiated the nucleation process in the concentrated water vapour responsible for the formation of cloudburst. Global Warming causes glacial melting which helps to increase the volume of cloud which ultimately accelerate the process of Langmuir Precipitation. This article deals with different mechanisms related to frequent cloudburst in India in recent times in relation to recent climate change phenomenon.