Kishtwar disaster renews focus on ‘Why Cloudbursts are Frequent in JK’
Experts point to geography, weather patterns and human activity as key factors
By: Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: The deadly cloudburst in Kishtwar’s remote Chasuti area has once again drawn attention to why Jammu & Kashmir is especially prone to such devastating weather events. Scientists and environmental experts say the Union Territory’s unique location in the western Himalayas, combined with shifting climate patterns and unplanned human activity, creates ideal conditions for cloudbursts.
J&K’s steep mountains, deep valleys and sharp elevation changes make it a natural trap for moisture-laden air.
“When warm, moist air from the monsoon or western disturbances is forced upward by the mountains, it cools rapidly, forming towering cumulonimbus clouds. These can unleash enormous amounts of rain in minutes,” explained Dr.Yudhbir Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Geology, University of Jammu.
The region also sits at the meeting point of two major weather systems—the Indian monsoon and western disturbances from Central Asia. Their convergence over the mountains often leads to highly localised and intense rainfall, the hallmark of a cloudburst.
A climate scientist at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), said J&K’s vulnerability is heightened by the rapid rate of warming in the Himalayas.
“The Himalayan region is heating at nearly double the global average. Warmer air can store more moisture, which means when it rains, it rains harder. This amplifies the destructive potential of cloudbursts,” he said.
Experts also warn that while cloudbursts are a natural phenomenon, their frequency and impact are being magnified by human activity. Dr.ShakilRomshoo, a noted earth scientist and Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), pointed to unchecked construction and deforestation.
“We are building roads, hotels, and homes in fragile zones, altering natural drainage systems and destabilising slopes. This not only increases runoff but also leaves communities more exposed to disaster,” he said.
Environmentalists stress that restoring ecological balance is crucial. Dr. Singh emphasised: “We need to regulate construction in hazard-prone zones, restore natural water channels to their original size, and make tourism sustainable. Without accountability—from policymakers and citizens—these tragedies will only become more common.”
The Kishtwar tragedy adds to a growing list of cloudburst incidents in recent years across J&K, from Ganderbal to Poonch. Experts say the solution lies in proactive disaster planning, stricter land-use policies, and greater public awareness.
The SKUAST expert summed up: “The mountains are telling us something. If we continue to disturb their balance, cloudbursts will not remain rare events—they will become the new normal.”
