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Climate change

India's Monsoon Becomes Wilder and More Extreme with Climate Change

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Indian monsoon, a crucial rain-bearing system that typically delivers about 80% of the country's annual rainfall, is becoming increasingly unpredictable and extreme due to climate change. While the total rainfall was only 8% above normal this year, the monsoon's impact has been marked by torrential rains, flash floods, and widespread disruption. The region of Dharali in the Himalayas, Punjab, and Kolkata have all been severely affected, with heavy downpours and cloudbursts causing destruction and fear.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Indian monsoon is becoming wilder and more extreme due to climate change, with more frequent and intense downpours, and longer dry spells.
  • Total rainfall this year was only 8% above normal, but the monsoon's impact has been marked by heavy downpours and flash floods.
  • Scientists suspect that warmer air can hold more moisture, leading to heavier downpours over shorter periods.
  • The number of extreme rainfall days has risen sharply across southern and western India since the 1950s.
  • Climate change is pushing the monsoon system, increasing rainfall over arid northwestern India, while decreasing it over the traditionally wetter northeast.
  • The monsoon, which once brought hope and relief to India, is now causing fear and uncertainty.
  • The city of Kolkata received over 1,000 mm of rainfall, more than half of what London gets in a whole year.
  • The state of Punjab experienced heavy rains across an area roughly the size of Greater Manchester.
  • The monsoon's circulation and low-pressure systems are shifting, leading to more erratic and extreme rainfall.

Statistics:

  • The Indian monsoon delivers about 80% of the country's annual rainfall.
  • Total rainfall this year was only 8% above normal.
  • The monsoon's onset was one week earlier than usual, the fastest in 16 years.
  • Extreme rainfall days have risen sharply across southern and western India since the 1950s.
  • Kolkata received over 1,000 mm of rainfall.
  • Punjab experienced heavy rains across an area roughly the size of Greater Manchester.
  • The number of extreme rainfall days has increased by 20% since the 1950s.

Sources:

  • The Conversation Trust (UK) Limited (2010-2022)
  • Ligin Joseph, Senior Environmental Writer, The Conversation (funded by the UK's Natural Environment Research Council)

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