How does a cloud burst? Shansi province of China, terrible flood occurred

How does a cloud burst:  A sudden cloudburst caused massive destruction in Xi'an, the capital of Shansi province of China, on 20 August 2025. Heavy rain and strong winds submerged the city within minutes. This natural disaster began with a huge cumulonimbus cloud, which caused flash floods in parts of Xi'an.

The sight of waterfall-like rain on the streets of Xi'an was not only surprising, but also tells that such incidents may increase in future.

Cloudburst incident in Xi'an again showed the power of nature

There was no news of any major loss of life in this incident, but its video is going viral on social media, it seems as if a waterfall is flowing from the sky

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There was no news of any major loss of life in this incident, but its video is going viral on social media, it seems as if a waterfall is flowing from the sky.

What is cloudburst?

Cloudburst is a weather phenomenon in which heavy rainfall occurs . This usually happens when warm and moist air rises and combines with cold air to form huge clouds. These clouds can cause 100-250 mm of rain in just 20-30 minutes, which floods rivers, roads and houses. This incident in Xi'an was also similar, where the roads became ponds in a matter of minutes.

What happened in Xi'an?

On the afternoon of August 20, 2025, a local storm hit Xi'an, affecting many parts of the city. Youngster Tube's viral video showed water falling from the sky like a waterfall. Roads were flooded, vehicles were submerged and power was cut off in many areas.

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The storm also affected Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, where flights were delayed. However, officials immediately began relief operations. The Xi'an Bureau of Emergency Management reported that there were no major casualties, but the floods damaged roads, power supplies and some houses.

Such disasters have occurred before

This is not the first time Xi'an has faced such a natural disaster. On August 14, 2023, 21 people were killed in a cloudburst and landslide in Weijiping village in Xi'an. 6 people went missing. At that time, heavy rains swept away two houses, damaged 21 parts of National Highway 210. 900 houses lost power. 186 people were evacuated with the help of 14 rescue teams and 1100 equipment.

Apart from this, another storm hit Xi'an on 8 May 2025, in which strong winds, heavy rains and hailstorms affected the city. Hundreds of vehicles were destroyed. Some people also claimed to have seen a dragon-like figure in the sky during this time, which was later described as a UFO.

Effect of climate change

Such frequent incidents in Xi'an and Shaanxi province are the result of climate change. According to the South China Morning Post, incidents of heavy rains and cloudbursts have increased in southern China and India in the summer of 2025. Johnny Chan of the City University of Hong Kong said that cloudbursts are difficult to predict, as they occur very fast and locally.

According to a report by Carbon Brief, northern China, which is usually dry, has been experiencing record rainfall in recent years. Heavy rains and floods in areas like Shaanxi and Liaoning killed more than 60 people in 2025. Hot winds and humidity caused by climate change are fueling heavy rains.

Damage and impact

In the August 20 incident

Waterlogging on roads: Many roads and low-lying areas of Xi'an were submerged in water.

Power and traffic affected: Power was cut off at the airport and other areas. Flights were halted.

Economic losses: Shops, vehicles and infrastructure were damaged.

Force of nature: Viral videos showed that the rain was so heavy that it looked like a waterfall.

However, quick rescue operations prevented the situation from worsening. China's Ministry of Emergency Management allocated more than 100 million yuan (Rs 1,390 crore) for relief work.

Future threats

Climate change may increase such incidents. The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said that in 2025, a record temperature was recorded in Xingping city of Shaanxi.

Irregular rainfall: Climate change has altered rainfall patterns, making sudden heavy downpours common.

Floods and landslides: Mountainous areas like Xi'an are increasingly prone to landslides.

Impact on agriculture: Floods are destroying crops, causing losses to farmers.

Urban infrastructure: Old drainage systems are unable to handle heavy rains.