Cloudburst Calamities in Pakistan: The Causes, Impact, and Challenges

A cloudburst is an intense, very heavy, and rapid precipitation occurring within a short period, with flash flooding and damage as a consequence. Unlike the usual rainfall, which comes down gradually in an hour or so, a cloudburst dumps a lot of water in a short time. This renders it hazardous as the land and the drainage are not able to absorb or handle such a large amount of water at such a rapid pace.

In Pakistan, cloudbursts are an area of increasing concern, particularly in the areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir, as they are hilly and mountainous areas. These regions are more at risk as steep slopes and narrow valleys cause floods and landslides to happen as rain seems to flow rapidly downwards. As the weather is changing and the temperature is rising, such events occur more frequently. It is already well-known that damages caused by cloudbursts are quite harmful to both people and the environment, and that it is salient to understand what these are, what they are formed of, and how dangerous they are to prevent, limit, or reduce the harm they bring.

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Reasons behind Cloudbursts in Pakistan

One example of this is a cloudburst, when a cloud with a considerable cluster of moisture dumps it all at a given point. In Pakistan, there are various issues that predispose the occurrence of such events.

First is the geographical conditions, which are significantly influential. Most cloudbursts are in the northern regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir. High mountainous terrain drives the moisture-laden clouds upwards, cools them, and makes them drop down precipitously. Such a natural arrangement makes these regions very susceptible.

Second, the weather is becoming less predictable with climate change. The increase in hotter temperatures causes more evaporation, which allows clouds to contain more water. Opening up this water en masse leads to huge downpours. Scientists say global warming is heightening both the number and severity of cloudbursts.

Third, humans are also contributing to the ills. Logging of forests in slope lands decreases the capacity of land to trap rainwater, and urbanization has obstructed natural water channels. The effect of cloudbursts is further enhanced due to poor city planning, especially in cities like Islamabad and Murree, where, due to a poorly planned drainage system, the effect of cloudbursts cannot be controlled.

Effects of Cloudbursts

Sudden devastation is caused by the cloudbursts since the speed at which the rain falls is much faster than that at which humans, land, and systems can handle. The worst impact is on human life. Flash flooding, landslides, and unstable houses kill many people. Survivors also encounter many medical problems associated with contaminated water and inadequate sanitation, coupled with the absence of accessible medical services. There is also a human cost arising from the displacement of families.

During a cloudburst, the surroundings, too, are adversely affected. Floods destroy forests, fields, and local ecosystems, and rushing water washes away fertile soil, and this results in erosion. Landslides caused by cloudbursts in hill areas usually add to flooding by blocking rivers, destroying roads, and isolating entire villages.

The economic blow is also harsh. Paved roads, bridges, homes, and agricultural lands are usually ruined and in some cases, devastated. Farmers lose their crops and livestock, and governments lose lots of money in relief, rescue, and rebuilding. Such losses hamper the development and keep communities crippled for months, and even years, at a time.

In Pakistan, such disasters are not limited to. The past years have seen heavy destruction in cloudbursts in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In 2021, a cloudburst in Islamabad caused flash floods, which washed away cars and damaged houses, and caused panic throughout the city. The described events emphasise the danger of unpredictably ineffective cloudbursts.

Problems in Management

The absence of elaborate early warning systems is one of the greatest problems regarding how to manage cloudburst disasters. The prediction of the occurrence of cloudbursts is hard since it comes and goes in a very short duration. The technology of weather prediction is yet to be powerful in Pakistan, and thus, people receive no warning earlier to save their lives as well as property.

The other issue is ineffective disaster management infrastructure. They do not allot enough resources to rescue teams and thus cannot deploy the teams efficiently in case of an emergency in hilly areas where roads are ruined and obstructed by landslides. This procrastination aggravates the agony that the victims endure, and also complicates the process of rescue operations.

Another serious problem is poor urban planning. Drainage systems in most cities are too weak to cope with torrential rain. Seizing of natural waterways and unauthorised construction also aggravate flooding. It is an even bigger concern in tourist destinations such as Murree, where unbuffered infrastructure has been constructed at a rapid rate.

Communities do not have adequate awareness. Not everyone in the risk-prone zones is informed of how risky cloudbursts are, or what to do in case of such a disaster. Without the training or disaster drill, people are defenseless because of a failure of a cloudburst.

Conclusion

Cloudbursts refer to instant and intense natural phenomena that cause extensive loss of human life, environmental destruction, and massive economic loss in Pakistan. As realities of climate change intensify, both mountainous areas and cities are increasing their risk due to such events. Even though cloudbursts cannot be prevented, their magnitude can be controlled by developing better forecast systems, effective disaster response, more efficient city designs, and education among local people. The only solution to this problem is the creation of resilience and preparedness, which Pakistan needs to cope with this phenomenon and ensure the protection of its citizens against the unpredictability of the skies.

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