Cloud burst is a natural phenomenon in the Himalaya which started occurring frequently in recent years. It mostly occurs in areas where the landforms are southward facing having agriculture land (Quaternary deposits) as the landuse. These superficial deposits are less compact, loosely laid on the surface of various types of pre-existing landforms. These deposits are prone to erosion and transportation in the form of bed load due to mixture of finer sand, silt and coarse gravel, even boulders and get a lot of direct sun light. The northern faces lie behind the area and have thick forest. Geomorphic features like cirques, hanging valleys with broad valley, erosional glacial features with open valley one side and dense forest especially Oak (Banj) and Rhododendron (Burans) on the another side with average height of 1600 to 2200 m (5000 to 6000 feet) creates suitable conditions for the cloud burst. Generally during monsoon period, the moisture laden clouds move from south to north in Himalaya and when they come up against cirque like features where the valley is closed, they suddenly become stagnant and get piled. Subsequently the precipitation occurs suddenly in the form of heavy discharge of about 100 mm/hour in 30 to 50 sq km area. This huge amount of discharge contributes to the river and usually causes massive damage to life and property in the down streams. These damages primarily occur in areas which are occupied by fan terrace material and old landslides. Coincidentally on this Quaternary deposits most of the settlements in the Himalaya exists due to availability of water (springs) and flat fluvial terraces for agricultural land.
