Five recent cloudbursts that shook the nation

New Delhi: On a day, when some 30 people have perished in Uttarakhand in a devastating cloudburst, it is pertinent to list some of the recent calamities that shook the nation.

These natural calamities are a grim reminder of how dangerous the world has become for some people. It is important that we live in harmony with nature, and not go against it, and understand the values that bind us together.

So, what is a cloudburst?

It is sudden and massive rainfall for a short period of time within a particular geographical area. It is usually accompanied by thunderstorms.

They are often reported when there is a shift of hot air from the ground up towards clouds which carry large rain drops.

In 2013, over 5,700 people were killed in a cloudburst in Uttarakhand.

Here are the five recent incidents of cloudbursts in the country as listed by the Indian Express:

Tehri, Uttarakhand (May 28) – Hundreds of houses were demolished in Tehri district during a cloudburst. Though there were no human casualties, at least 100 animals were buried under the debris. Pilgrims on the Char Dham yatra were also stranded on the roads.

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh (May 14) – Four youths went missing in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh later visited the site of the tragedy.

Dharampur, Himachal Pradesh (August, 2015) – Four people, including three members of a family, were killed in flash floods caused by a cloudburst in Dharampur area of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh.

Kashmir Valley (July 2015) – Eight cloudbursts in three weeks left at least 10 people dead in the Kashmir Valley. The cloudbursts occurred in Budgam, Kupwara and Ganderbal.

Tehri, Uttarakhand (July 2015) – A 55-year-old man of Jaspur village in Tehri district was buried alive in debris and five others injured after a cloudburst hit the area early morning.