Theme T32 · Physical Geography & Hazards

Cloudbursts & extreme rainfall

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What UPSC asks

GS1 and GS3 both ask the mechanism of cloudbursts, recent examples, and NDMA measures for the Himalayas (Uttarakhand).

Prepare these

• Mechanism: orographic lifting, moisture convergence, sudden release
• Examples: Kedarnath 2013, Himachal and Uttarakhand events
• Mitigation: Doppler radar, early warning, land-use zoning, river-bank regulation

Answer writing

• Mechanism → recent example → NDMA-based measures

Directive words in these PYQs: Explain (2), Discuss (2).

Linked themes

Builds on: study these first

These come earlier in the roadmap. Questions in this theme use them.

Comes back later in

Later themes that take this one further.

On the map

Syllabus lines covered

• GS1-L10 — Salient features of world's physical geography.
• GS1-L12 — Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
• GS3-L15 — Disaster and disaster management.

All 3 PYQs, newest first

1. GS1202410 marks · 150 wordsGS1-GEO-02-M2024-Q06

   What is the phenomenon of 'cloudbursts'? Explain.

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2. GS3202210 marks · 150 wordsGS3-DM-01-M2022-Q08

   Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples.

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3. GS32016GS3-DM-01-M2016-S02

   With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand.

   Also needs: T160 Disaster management frameworks: DM Act, Sendai, resilience, community, dam safetyAlso needs: T43 Fragile Himalayan ecosystems: tourism & infrastructureCopyReport a typo