22 cloudbursts in 42 days: Is J&K weather turning more violent?
Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an alarming 22 cloudburst incidents since June 1 this year, raising fresh concerns over the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region.
According to official figures, the Jammu division accounted for 15 cloudbursts, especially in the Chenab Valley belt, while eight incidents were reported from Kashmir, triggering flash floods, landslides and damage to roads, houses and agricultural land in several areas.
The latest cloudburst in Pahalgam, a key tourist destination and one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra, has emerged as a stark reminder of the growing vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events.
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Experts say the incident should not be viewed in isolation but as part of a broader climatic shift unfolding across the western Himalayas. Director Meteorological Department, Ladakh, Sonam Lotus said rising temperatures and increasing moisture in the atmosphere are contributing to short-duration but highly intense rainfall events in mountainous regions.
“A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, increasing the chances of heavy precipitation over a short period. In mountainous terrain, these events become highly localised and difficult to predict,” Lotus said.
Environmentalist and researcher Dr Tanveer Ahmad Khan described the recent Pahalgam cloudburst as a warning signal for the region. “The Himalayan ecosystem is undergoing rapid changes. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns and shrinking snow reserves are creating conditions favourable for extreme weather events. The Pahalgam incident should be treated as a wake-up call rather than an isolated disaster,” he said.
Dr Khan stressed the need for strengthening early warning systems, improving disaster preparedness and ensuring climate-resilient infrastructure in vulnerable areas.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif warned that unregulated construction along riverbanks and mountain drainage corridors is magnifying the impact of such disasters.
“The government needs to keep a close check on construction along riverbanks and along mountain drainage corridors. These areas often serve as natural drainage channels that safely carry excess runoff during intense rainfall or cloudburst events,” he said.
“Although these channels may remain dry for most of the year, they can quickly transform into destructive flood routes during extreme weather events,” Arif added.
He noted that riverfront properties and hotels often fetch higher prices because of their scenic appeal, but remain among the most vulnerable locations during flash floods and debris flows.
“Ironically, such land is often considered premium because river-view hotels and properties attract higher demand. However, these are the very locations that face the greatest risk from flash floods, debris flow and erosion,” he said.
Arif called for scientific land-use planning and strict enforcement of regulations governing construction in hazard-prone zones.
Experts believe that rapid urbanisation, encroachments on natural water channels, deforestation and changing climate patterns are collectively increasing disaster risks across Jammu and Kashmir.
With cloudbursts becoming more frequent and destructive, scientists warn that the region can no longer afford to view such events as rare occurrences.
The tally of 22 cloudbursts in just over a month suggests that extreme weather may increasingly become the new normal for Jammu and Kashmir, demanding urgent adaptation measures and a rethink in the way development takes place in the mountains.