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 experi-

enced 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

Ladakh and Lahaul & Spiti. Rainfall and snowfall patterns have been changing; small glaciers and

permanent snow fields are melting affecting water runoff in the rivers/streams, and rise in tempera-

ture and humidity inducing favorable conditions for the invasion of insects and pest aggression.

(Prakash, 2013)

Ladakh is a highland desert, strongly guarded by Peer Panjal, the Himalayas and the Stok and

Zanskar ranges, which do not allow any moist air to reach the Indus valley. Areas miles away from

moist sea winds usually receive precipitation by “convectional rainfall”. Warm, moist air starts ris-

ing from local water bodies and vegetation due to solar heat. With the increase in height this warm,

moist air starts cooling and forms clouds after condensation. As clouds continue to grow, the weight

of the water droplets can eventually lead to precipitation, and at times, torrential rains if come in

contact with cold air currents at high altitudes - normally called cloudburst. However, normally

this occurs over tropical river basins in the hills (Malpa and Kinnaure in Himachal are the recent

examples), where vegetations and river channels provide much needed water content and increase

relative humidity. Ladakh is an exception for such climatic conditions because of unavailability

Figure 134 2010 Cloud burst Disaster in Ladakh

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