CENTRE WARNS OF RISING CLOUDBURST, FLASH FLOOD RISKS ACROSS HIMALAYAS

SRINAGAR: Climate change and human activities are increasing the risk of extreme rainfall, cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides across the Himalayan region, the Union Government has informed the Lok Sabha.The Ministry of Home Affairs said assessments by weather experts, scientific institutions and state authorities indicate that the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events are rising in the Himalayan region due to climate change.The statement was made in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3858 concerning cloudburst incidents in Himachal Pradesh.The Ministry said accelerated snowmelt and moraine instability are contributing to off-season slope failures and increased runoff in high-altitude areas. The Multi-Sectoral Central Team (MSCT) examining the situation has also found that anthropogenic factors are adding to the growing disaster risk.Centre Forms Multi-Sectoral TeamAmid the increasing threat of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides and extreme rainfall, the Centre has constituted a Multi-Sectoral Central Team to assess the causes and impact of extreme weather events in Himachal Pradesh.The team comprises experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), IIT Indore and other agencies.Inputs from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission (CWC) and Geological Survey of India (GSI) have also been incorporated into the assessment.The team will scientifically examine the causes of extreme weather events, analyse geographical and ground conditions in the worst-affected areas and study data collected by various agencies.It will also recommend long-term measures to reduce the impact of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides and other climate-related disasters in the Himalayan region.J&K Also Faces Growing Extreme Weather ThreatThe Centre’s assessment has wider significance for Jammu and Kashmir, where intense rainfall, cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides have repeatedly threatened lives, infrastructure and connectivity.The findings highlight the growing need for stronger disaster preparedness, early-warning systems and climate-resilient infrastructure across vulnerable Himalayan regions.