Abstract ID: 3.11343 | Not reviewed | Requested as: Talk | TBA | TBA

Cloudbursts are extreme weather events that cause significant disruptions, especially in the mountainous regions. This study tries to examine the cloudburst events that took place in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh between 2022 and 2024(upto 20 July), focusing on their socio-economic and environmental impacts. The study tries to highlights the damage and the intensity of destruction caused by cloudbursts, e.g. loss of human lives, livestock, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Besides the above mentioned primary impacts, cloudbursts trigger secondary disasters such as landslides and flash floods, which further exacerbaes the damage in valleys. A combination of ground surveys and data collection from the District Emergency Operations Center (DEOC) was employed to assess the extent of destruction and response measures taken by the governmental departments(Department of Revenue) and the locals. The ground surveys involved direct field assessments, interviews with affected communities, and observations of the impacted regions. Data from DEOC also provided critical information like meteorological records, damage assessments, and response reports(rehabilitation costs and fundings). These methods ensured a comprehensive understanding of the disasters and their cascading effects. Findings revealed that cloudbursts in Sirmaur have had severe socio-economic repercussions, with damage to agricultural lands, disruption of essential services, loss of domesticated animals in farming communities and increased financial strain on affected families. Environmental consequences, including deforestation, altered river courses during the time of excessive rains, and increased sedimentation and far off deposition due to the above mentioned reasons. Further the work highlight the need for improved disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies in such areas. The study suggests the necessity of enhanced early warning systems, community awareness programs, and robust infrastructure resilience to mitigate future risks.