In the face of recent extreme weather events in northern India, climate experts have come forward to share their views on crucial mitigation and adaptation strategies. Unprecedented heavy rainfall and subsequent flash floods have caused widespread disruptions and extensive damage to communities and infrastructure, underscoring the vulnerability of the region to the impacts of climate change.
According to Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the India Meteorological Department, the heavy rainfall in northern India can be attributed to the interaction between a low-pressure weather system known as the western disturbance and the southwest monsoon. Similar to the rising global trend, the frequency of such intense rainfall events in tropical regions, including India, is on the rise. This increasing trend emphasizes the urgent need for action to address climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll, a scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, highlights the clear shift in monsoon patterns, characterized by prolonged deficit rainfall periods followed by intense downpours occurring over a few days. This pattern has been strengthening over the past several decades. The combination of warmer temperatures, increased moisture in the air, and the southwest monsoon’s impact is resulting in heavy rainfall concentrated within a short span of time. These extreme rain events in north India serve as a clear signal of climate change’s influence on weather patterns.
To address and mitigate the effects of severe rainfall events in northern India, climate experts recommend several measures. Strengthening early warning systems, investing in resilient infrastructure, and adopting sustainable urban design concepts are crucial steps in minimizing the impact of extreme weather events. Dr. Anjal Prakash, a research director at the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, emphasizes the need for micro-action plans at the local level to identify vulnerable areas and develop customized disaster management strategies.
The devastating consequences of extreme rainfall events are evident on the ground. Gurpreet Kaur, Head of Clean Air Punjab, highlights the extensive damage to farmland and the alarming increase in climate-related risks in the region. Srishti Jaswal, a writer from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, shares her firsthand experience of witnessing unprecedented flooding and infrastructure damage, particularly affecting marginalized communities.
The immediate focus is on the rescue and relief operations, as the impact of the extreme weather events continues to unfold. So far, the heavy rainfall has claimed the lives of 22 individuals, with significant damage to bridges and infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Delhi-NCR. The states are grappling with rescue operations, evacuations, and managing the aftermath of the disaster.
The extent of the impact is staggering, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu noting that Himachal Pradesh has not experienced such widespread heavy rains in the past 50 years. The loss incurred by the state is estimated to be around Rs 3,000 crore, and rescue operations are underway to assist stranded tourists and locals. Chandigarh recorded its highest 24-hour July rainfall in history, leading to the opening of all floodgates at Sukhna Lake. The National Capital Region also experienced its highest 24-hour rainfall since 1982, resulting in waterlogged roads and disrupted transportation.
These extreme weather events serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need to address climate change. The interconnectedness of climate change impacts on both local and global scales underscores the necessity for immediate action. As the world faces the consequences of rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, the imperative to curb greenhouse gas emissions and implement adaptive measures has never been more critical.
The recent events in northern India highlight the need for a comprehensive discourse on climate change and its impacts. Asar, an environment and climate advocacy group, through initiatives such as the ‘Simplifying Science’ program, aims to engage the public in conversations about climate issues, their environmental, social, and economic impacts, and potential solutions.
According to Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the India Meteorological Department, the heavy rainfall in northern India can be attributed to the interaction between a low-pressure weather system known as the western disturbance and the southwest monsoon. Similar to the rising global trend, the frequency of such intense rainfall events in tropical regions, including India, is on the rise. This increasing trend emphasizes the urgent need for action to address climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll, a scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, highlights the clear shift in monsoon patterns, characterized by prolonged deficit rainfall periods followed by intense downpours occurring over a few days. This pattern has been strengthening over the past several decades. The combination of warmer temperatures, increased moisture in the air, and the southwest monsoon’s impact is resulting in heavy rainfall concentrated within a short span of time. These extreme rain events in north India serve as a clear signal of climate change’s influence on weather patterns.
To address and mitigate the effects of severe rainfall events in northern India, climate experts recommend several measures. Strengthening early warning systems, investing in resilient infrastructure, and adopting sustainable urban design concepts are crucial steps in minimizing the impact of extreme weather events. Dr. Anjal Prakash, a research director at the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, emphasizes the need for micro-action plans at the local level to identify vulnerable areas and develop customized disaster management strategies.
The devastating consequences of extreme rainfall events are evident on the ground. Gurpreet Kaur, Head of Clean Air Punjab, highlights the extensive damage to farmland and the alarming increase in climate-related risks in the region. Srishti Jaswal, a writer from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, shares her firsthand experience of witnessing unprecedented flooding and infrastructure damage, particularly affecting marginalized communities.
The immediate focus is on the rescue and relief operations, as the impact of the extreme weather events continues to unfold. So far, the heavy rainfall has claimed the lives of 22 individuals, with significant damage to bridges and infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Delhi-NCR. The states are grappling with rescue operations, evacuations, and managing the aftermath of the disaster.
The extent of the impact is staggering, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu noting that Himachal Pradesh has not experienced such widespread heavy rains in the past 50 years. The loss incurred by the state is estimated to be around Rs 3,000 crore, and rescue operations are underway to assist stranded tourists and locals. Chandigarh recorded its highest 24-hour July rainfall in history, leading to the opening of all floodgates at Sukhna Lake. The National Capital Region also experienced its highest 24-hour rainfall since 1982, resulting in waterlogged roads and disrupted transportation.
These extreme weather events serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need to address climate change. The interconnectedness of climate change impacts on both local and global scales underscores the necessity for immediate action. As the world faces the consequences of rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, the imperative to curb greenhouse gas emissions and implement adaptive measures has never been more critical.
The recent events in northern India highlight the need for a comprehensive discourse on climate change and its impacts. Asar, an environment and climate advocacy group, through initiatives such as the ‘Simplifying Science’ program, aims to engage the public in conversations about climate issues, their environmental, social, and economic impacts, and potential solutions.