India faced a fierce monsoon season this year, with heavy rains leading to flash floods and landslides, particularly in the northern regions like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. This year’s monsoon followed an exceptionally hot summer, which saw record heatwaves across the country.
The impact has been devastating. Over 150,000 people were displaced, and more than 200 lives were lost due to the severe weather conditions. A significant cause of this chaos has been what’s known as a “cloudburst.”
What is a Cloudburst?
A cloudburst is a sudden, intense rainfall that can overwhelm a localized area. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) defines it as a rainfall event where over 100 millimeters falls in just one hour. This is the highest category in their rainfall classification.
Interestingly, even if certain events don’t officially classify as cloudbursts, they may still signal serious weather issues. For example, a recent case in Uttarkashi involved intense rainfall that caused significant damage but didn’t meet the IMD’s cloudburst criteria.
A Year of Unusual Weather
In September, a similar incident occurred in Uttarkhand’s Chamoli district. Intense rains led to the destruction of buildings, claiming at least 10 lives and displacing many more. Other areas, such as Dehradun, also saw buildings and infrastructure severely damaged.
Beyond Uttarakhand, states like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir also suffered from heavy rainfall. The overflowing Yamuna River forced the evacuation of residents along its banks, highlighting the broad impact of this year’s monsoon.
Trends in Monsoon Patterns
According to a report by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), over 55% of India’s sub-districts experienced an increase of over 10% in southwest monsoon rainfall from 2012 to 2022. This reflects significant changes in rainfall patterns, which experts attribute mainly to climate change.
The Role of Climate Change
Climate change is becoming a key factor in the changing monsoons. A study from the Ministry of Earth Sciences showed a growing trend of shorter, more intense cloudbursts in the Himalayan foothills and coastal areas. The warming of glaciers and lakes in these regions leads to a higher rate of evaporation, which in turn fuels more frequent cloudbursts.
Rohit Thapliyal, a scientist at the IMD, emphasizes the need for more extensive studies over long periods to fully grasp how climate change is affecting rainfall patterns. He suggests that a comprehensive analysis might need at least 30 years of data to draw meaningful conclusions.
Conclusion
The current monsoon season is a stark reminder of the rising intensity and unpredictability of weather due to climate change. As the pattern continues to evolve, it becomes crucial not just for environmental scientists but also for communities at risk to adapt and prepare for the challenges ahead.
For more information on shifting monsoon patterns and climate impacts, you can refer to the CEEW report.
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India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, cloudbursts, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu, Climate change, warming oceans, scientific studies, evaporation, Himalayas
