Experts warn that unless preparedness improves, such extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent and destructive in the ecologically fragile region. Director, Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said the western Himalayas are witnessing a noticeable increase in short-duration, high-intensity rainfall events due to a warming atmosphere. Dr Ahmad said climate change has increased the probability of extreme rainfall events, although accurately predicting the exact location and timing of a cloudburst remains beyond the capability of present-day forecasting systems anywhere in the world. If thunderstorms remain stationary over one location, enormous quantities of rain can fall within minutes, resulting in a cloudburst," he said. This additional moisture provides more energy for storms, increasing the intensity of short-duration rainfall events.