Flash Flood in Jammu and Kashmir

Flash floods are severe flood events triggered by extreme cloudbursts; glacial lake outbursts; or the failure of artificial dams or dams caused by landslides, debris, ice, or snow. Flash floods can have impacts hundreds of kilometers downstream, although the warning time available is counted in minutes or, at the most, hours. Flooding can boost to flash flooding in various places where intense rainfall results in a sudden surge of rising flood waters. Flash floods are also characterized by a sudden rise in water level with high velocities, and large amounts of debris. Most factors in flash flooding are the intensity and duration of rainfall and the steepness of watershed and stream gradients. Flash flooding occurs most commonly in steeply sloping valleys in hilly areas, but can also occur along small waterways in urban environments. Dam failure, release of ice jams, and collapse of debris dams also can cause flash floods. The damages caused by flash floods can be more dangerous than ordinary floods because of the speed with which flooding occurs, the high velocity of water, and the debris load.