Chapter 5 : Climate and Geographic Data
5.6.Cloud burst The climate of Ladakh is cold and dry. Average annual precipitation is roughly 3 inches (80 mm); fine, dry, flaked snow is frequent and sometimes falls heavily. The Ladakh region is experienced by harsh and rigorous climate varying from extremes of heat and cold, excessive dryness and very low rainfall. As such this region is called Cold arid zone or Cold desert region of Jammu and Kashmir like Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. The excessive dryness is chiefly due to very high elevation by which the air is so rarefied that it becomes incapable of holding moisture in suspension form. It is also partly explained due to great radiation of heat from the bare soil by which moisture is rapidly evaporated. Summers are very short and mild and winters very long and piercing cold. (Arora, 2017) 3. lack of upper air prevents decepation and water concentration increases
4. Increased concentration of water cause sudden localized downpour of water 2. Continues rise of air mass form large clouds
5. Steep slope and lack of vegetation cause flashflood
1.Warm and humid air moves upward
Figure 133 Schematic Cloud burst cycle in Ladakh
144 Kyosang on Highway 2020-21
