Srinagar, Sept. 1 -- Yes, the limate change is amplifying extreme weather. The ongoing frequency in cloudbursts is unusual. They were once rare and localized events. The weather experts say that this is because warmer air holds more moisture, releasing it suddenly as torrential rain. Similarly, the higher reaches in Jammu and Kashmir are fragile and naturally prone to landslides and floods. For example, Srinagar-Jammu highway has always been a witness to landslides, leading to its closure for days on end. Now, the situation seems to be getting worse, aggravated by human interference. Cutting of slopes, building in floodplains, and choking of rivers with encroachments has turned what should be manageable risks into lethal disasters.

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