A new IIT Gandhinagar study reveals this surprising insight, challenging how we prepare for disasters. From Himachal to Kerala, sudden floods are rising not just in frequency, but in unpredictability. The real danger? Even places once considered 'safe' are now seeing more wet hours and higher streamflow due to climate change. Traditional warnings based only on rainfall won’t cut it anymore. Regions like the Himalayas, Western Coast, and Central India need tailored strategies; because terrain, soil saturation, and local climate matter more than we thought. UPSC aspirants: this isn’t just current affairs; it’s a blueprint for understanding disaster management, climate adaptation, and regional vulnerability. If you’re brushing off flash floods as ‘just monsoon chaos’, think again. The next big question in GS Paper 3 might be hiding in plain sight.