Which of the following statements about cloudburst events is or are correct?

Introduction / Context:

This question focuses on cloudbursts, which are sudden, very intense rainfall events that can cause flash floods and landslides, especially in hilly regions. Understanding the characteristics of cloudbursts is important for disaster preparedness, meteorology and geography. The aim is to evaluate which statements correctly describe a cloudburst in terms of its nature, location and rainfall intensity.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Statement 1: A cloudburst is defined as a sudden, localised and very heavy downpour often accompanied by thunder and lightning.
• Statement 2: It mostly occurs in hilly or mountainous areas.
• Statement 3: It results in very high rainfall intensity, around 250 mm to 300 mm in a few hours.
• Statement 4: It occurs only during daytime.
• The task is to identify which combination of these statements is correct.

Concept / Approach:

A cloudburst is a severe weather phenomenon where clouds release massive amounts of rain in a very short time over a small area. Orographic uplift and unstable moist air are common conditions, especially in hilly terrain, which is why such events are frequently reported in Himalayan and other mountainous regions. The key features are very high rainfall intensity and localised impact. However, there is no restriction that cloudbursts can occur only in daytime; they can happen at any time, including night. The approach is to check each statement against these established characteristics.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Meteorological texts from agencies such as IMD describe cloudbursts as localised rainfall events where precipitation sometimes exceeds 100 mm in less than an hour, often in mountainous regions. They do not restrict these events to any particular time of day. News reports of cloudbursts in Himalayan states frequently mention night time events as well. Thus, the combination of statements 1, 2 and 3 being correct, with 4 incorrect, is consistent with both theory and observed cases.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

The combination 1, 3 and 4 is wrong because it includes statement 4, which incorrectly limits cloudbursts to daytime. Options listing only statements 2 and 3 or only statement 2 fail to include statement 1, which is a correct defining description, so those combinations are incomplete. The option combining statements 1 and 4 only is also incorrect because it accepts the false condition regarding time of occurrence while ignoring the true frequent occurrence in hilly areas and high intensity values.

Common Pitfalls:

One common mistake is to think that dramatic weather events such as cloudbursts happen only in the afternoon or evening when convection is strong, leading learners to accept the daytime restriction. Another pitfall is not paying attention to the requirement for very high rainfall intensity values, which is a key part of the definition. Rushing through combination type questions without evaluating each statement individually can also cause confusion.

Final Answer:

The correct combination of statements describing cloudbursts is 1, 2 and 3.