Now Reading: Cloudburst defined: 10 cm rain in hour over 20-30 sq km
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Cloudburst defined: 10 cm rain in hour over 20-30 sq km
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a cloudburst as 10 cm or more of rain falling in an hour over an area of 20-30 sq km. The Hindu reports that the term…
The Story in Brief
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a cloudburst as 10 cm or more of rain falling in an hour over an area of 20-30 sq km. The Hindu reports that the term is frequently misused by officials and media to describe any sudden heavy rainfall that causes destruction, which can distract from poor planning and crumbling infrastructure. Cloudbursts typically happen when strong updrafts in thunderstorms hold large amounts of water high in the atmosphere. Experts caution that not every intense downpour qualifies, and mislabelling can shift blame away from development failures.
The Indian Opinion
Calling every heavy downpour a cloudburst lets officials off the hook for clogged drains and unregulated construction. The IMD's clear definition gives us a yardstick: did the area get 10 cm in one hour? If not, the blame lies with urban planning, not the sky. Watch for future disaster reports to see if the rainfall threshold is actually met before politicians reach for the word.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
