When is heavy rainfall a cloudburst, and when is it not? | Explained
This article clarifies the meteorological definition of a cloudburst, distinguishing it from general heavy rainfall, and discusses the challenges in accurately recording these events. It notes that climate change is increasing the frequency of such extreme weather, which often causes significant destruction in high-altitude regions.
When a wall of water suddenly crashes from the sky and sweeps away homes and roads within minutes, one of the first words officials and the media in India reach for is ‘cloudburst’. However, the term is often misused in a way that can distract from poor planning and crumbling infrastructure.
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