Southwest Monsoon: Shift in rain distribution creates new climate hotspots

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, August 24

India has received 4 per cent excess rainfall this monsoon season so far, but many parts, covering around 15 per cent of its landmass, continue to battle significant deficits. These regions include Punjab (-33%), Haryana, Delhi, and Chandigarh (-16%), Himachal Pradesh (-23%), and Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (-27%).

The uneven distribution of rainfall, attributed to climate change and global warming, has led to the creation of new climate hotspots. Tripura, for instance, has experienced unprecedented rainfall, resulting in rain-induced landslides and destruction.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha stated that the region has not seen such heavy rainfall in a long time. “The rain has not stopped. All the rivers across the state have reached critical levels, and the water level has crossed the warning limit.”

Arid regions receiving more rain

Notably, areas that typically receive limited rainfall are now experiencing floods. Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather attributes this to low-pressure areas and weather systems generated in the Bay of Bengal taking a westerly route, resulting in reduced rainfall in the northwest and Indo-Gangetic plains.

More rain due in western parts

Eastern and western Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand are witnessing deficiencies, while Rajasthan and Gujarat are dealing with excess rainfall and floods. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts more heavy rainfall and flooding in western parts, including west Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, south Rajasthan, and north Madhya Maharashtra, in the next 48 hours.

The northwest reality

Agrarian lands of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are blessed with good irrigation facilities but the way the rain situation is progressing, a serious problem can be anticipated in coming years, warn experts.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors 10 major reservoirs in these states, which together have a capacity of 19.663 billion cubic metres. Currently, these reservoirs are only at 51 per cent of their total storage capacity as per the report released last week.

The northwest region is expected to receive more rainfall in the remainder of the season, but experts warn that the shift in distribution may lead to serious problems in the coming years. The water levels in dams across northern India are significantly lower this year compared to the same period last year, despite the ongoing monsoon season.

Tripura’s ‘worst-ever flood situation in three decades’

Tripura’s ‘worst-ever flood situation in three decades’ has rendered over 65,000 people homeless, with 24 reported deaths, two injuries, and two missing persons. The floods have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, crops, houses, fishery ponds, and livestock.