Showing papers on "Cloudburst published in 2013"
TL;DR: In this paper, a triangular hydrograph has been transformed into a storm hydrographer for better understanding of the duration of the storm in the Ladakh region of India.
Abstract: Leh and surrounding region of the Ladakh mountain range in the trans-Himalaya experienced multiple cloudbursts and associated flash floods during August 4–6, 2010. However, 12.8 mm/day rainfall recorded at the nearest meteorological station at Leh did not corroborate with the flood severity. For better understanding of this event, hydrological analysis and atmospheric modeling are carried out in tandem. Two small catchments (<3 km2) were studied along the stream continuum to assess the flood characteristics to identify the cloudburst impact zones. Peak flood discharges were estimated close to the head wall region and at the catchment outlet of the Leh town and the Sabu eastern tributary catchments. Storm runoff depth is estimated by developing a triangular hydrograph by using the known time base of the flood hydrograph. This triangular hydrographs have been transformed further into storm hydrographs to gain a better understanding of the storm duration by using the dimensionless hydrograph method at selected cross sections. Storm duration is estimated by using the relationship between time to peak and time of concentration of the catchment. The peak flood estimates ranged from 122(±35 %) m3/s for Leh town catchment (2.393 km2), 545(±35 %) m3/s for Sabu eastern tributary catchment (2.831 km2) to 1,070(±35 %) m3/sec for Sabu catchment (64.95 km2). To assess the atmospheric processes associated with this event, a triple nest simulation (27, 9 and 3 km) is performed using Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) modeling system. The simulation does show the evolution of the event from August 4 to 6, 2010. Observation constraints, orographic responses, etc. make such analysis complex at such scale. Independent estimate by the atmospheric process model and the hydrological method shows the storm depth of 70 mm and 91.8(±35 %) mm, respectively, in catchment scale. Hydrological evaluation further refined the spatial and temporal extents of the cloudbursts in the respective catchments with an estimated storm depth of 209(±35 %) mm in 11.9 min and 320(±35 %) in 8.8 min occurring in an area of 0.842–1.601 km2, respectively. This study shows that the insight developed on the cloudburst phenomena by the atmospheric and the hydrological modeling is hugely constrained by the spatial and temporal scales of data used for the analysis. Apart from this, study also highlighted the regular occurrence of cloudburst events over this region in the recent past. Most of such events go unreported due to lack of monitoring mechanisms in the region and weaken our ability to understand these events in complete perspective.
150 citations
1 Jan 2013
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the extreme weather related disasters in the Himalaya and gave a description of two deadly cloudburst triggered flashfloods that occurred in the Kedarnath and Badrinath valleys, which left the entire landscape devastated.
Abstract: Climate induced disasters such as cloudburst triggered flash floods, debris-flow, mass movements and landslides are very common phenomenon in the Himalaya. There are many instances in the recent past when these catastrophes caused heavy losses to lives and tremendous damage to property. One of the important characteristics of the Himalaya during the monsoon season is heavy downpour (cloudburst) which is due to extreme weather condition. Further, the landscape is very fragile and the human settlements are located either along the perennial streams of big rivers or on the unstable slopes. These perennial streams and big rivers are highly violent during the monsoon and whenever, the water level of these streams rises, it causes heavy loss to property and lives through destruction of the human settlements located along these courses. During the recent past, extreme changes in the climatic conditions have been seen largely due to the anthropogenic activities, i.e., population growth and large-scale deforestation. It has not only affected the climatic conditions but also affected the daily life of the inhabitants. This article examines the extreme weather related disasters in the Himalaya and gives a description of two deadly cloudburst triggered flashfloods that occurred in the Kedarnath and Badrinath valleys, which left the entire landscape devastated. This was followed by devastation of the settlements, agricultural fields, and thousands of lives were wiped out during this catastrophe. Rainfall data were collected to know about the changes in the climatic conditions and their impacts on the disaster in this part of the Himalaya.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the geographical causes of the Uttakhand-flood and issues related with this great phenomenon and found that the flash flood was so treating and massive that it was called 'The Himalayan Tsunami'.
Abstract: People of Grarhwal in Uttarakhand state of India and several pilgrims, those who were present there would never forget the four days of June 2013. This part of India is very famous for several high altitude pilgrimages and mass tourism. For its spiritual importance this region is commonly known as 'Dev Bhumi'- Land of Gods. From May to October this entire region always remains busy with the 'Char Dham Yatra and tourism activities. Like every year, June of 2013 was no different, pilgrimages and tourist spots were crowded with thousands of people. They were totally unknown what was going to hell their life after the cloudburst on and from 14 th June to 17 th June. After the Multi days cloudburst and heavy rainfall, the entire region especially the Kedarnath area faced devastating flash flood and associating landslide. Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh districts were badly affected. The death toll is reached up to10, 000 and 3000 persons were missing and several hundreds were injured. The flash flood was so treating and massive that it was called 'The Himalayan Tsunami'. This paper explores the geographical causes of the Uttakhand-flood and issues related with this great
University of Idaho1, Jet Propulsion Laboratory2, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory3, University of California, Berkeley4, University of Arizona5, Paris Diderot University6, University of Nantes7, University of Wisconsin-Madison8, United States Geological Survey9, Free University of Berlin10, California Institute of Technology11, Cornell University12, Massachusetts Institute of Technology13
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show a general pattern to the time-sequence of surface changes: after the cloudburst the areas darken for months, then brighten for a year before reverting to their original spectrum.
Abstract: Observations from Cassini VIMS and ISS show localized but extensive surface brightenings in the wake of the 2010 September cloudburst. Four separate areas, all at similar latitude, show similar changes: Yalaing Terra, Hetpet Regio, Concordia Regio, and Adiri. Our analysis shows a general pattern to the time-sequence of surface changes: after the cloudburst the areas darken for months, then brighten for a year before reverting to their original spectrum. From the rapid reversion timescale we infer that the process driving the brightening owes to a fine-grained solidified surface layer. The specific chemical composition of such solid layer remains unknown. Evaporative cooling of wetted terrain may play a role in the generation of the layer, or it may result from a physical grain-sorting process.