Abstract
The extreme rainfall event during June 2013 in the Western Himalayas caused widespread flash floods, which triggered landslides, a lake-outburst, and debris flow. For the hydrological study of such an unexpected extreme event, it is essential to have reliable and accurate rainfall predictions based on satellite observations. The mountainous state of Uttarakhand is covered by complex topography, and this state has few, unevenly distributed, rain gauge networks. This unique study was conducted to evaluate three satellite based rainfall products (i.e., TMPA-3B42, Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP), and NOAA CPC Morphing Technique (CMORPH)) against the observed rain gauge-based India Meteorological Department (IMD) gridded dataset for this rainfall episode. The results from this comprehensive study confirmed that the magnitude of precipitation and peak rainfall intensity were underestimated in TMPA-3B42 and CMORPH against gauge-based IMD data, while GSMaP showed dual trends with under- and over-predictions. From the results of the statistical approach on the determination of error statistic metrics (MAE (mean absolute error), NRMSE (normalized root mean square error), PBIAS (percent bias), and NSE (Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency)) of respective satellite products, it was revealed that TMPA-3B42 predictions were more relevant and accurate compared to predictions from the other two satellite products for this major event. The TMPA-3B42-based rainfall was negatively biased by 18%. Despite these caveats, this study concludes that TMPA-3B42 rainfall was useful for monitoring extreme rainfall event in the region, where rain-gauges are sparse.
Highlights
The atmospheric phenomenon caused through the collision of a Western disturbance with the monsoonal cloud system led to a major hydro-meteorological disaster in the region coveringUttarakhand and its adjacent areas during 16–17 June 2013 [1]
We have presented the utilization of satellite-based rainfall estimates (SBRE) rainfall products for evaluation of rainfall pattern for an extreme rainfall event like Kedarnath disaster over the Uttarakhand during June 2013
These maps clearly indicate that the spatial pattern of precipitation especially from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) was widespread, and most of the regions were observed with precipitation
Summary
The atmospheric phenomenon caused through the collision of a Western disturbance with the monsoonal cloud system led to a major hydro-meteorological disaster in the region coveringUttarakhand (an Indian state) and its adjacent areas during 16–17 June 2013 [1]. While the June 2013 Uttarakhand event resembles a cloudburst, the Kedarnath disaster was critically attributed to multi-day heavy downpouring, snow fall, and the subsequent outburst of the moraine-dammed Chorabari Lake [3]. This episode was considered as a major hydro-meteorological disaster in the history of this state due to its widespread affected area and immense destruction of life and properties including 10,000 fatalities and devastation of natural ecosystems, and of man-made buildings and properties [4]. This natural disaster in Kedarnath had caused a drop in 93% pilgrims, affecting tourism revenue of 120–200 billion Indian rupees (Υ) and the livelihood of about 0.2 million families residing in the region [5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
