Devastating Monsoon: The Deadly Impact of Intense Rains in India
India's monsoon has turned wild.
Half of the country is reeling under floods after extraordinary downpours, with Punjab facing its worst deluge since 1988.
Some parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan saw rains more than 1,000% above normal in just 24 hours, according to the Indian Meteorology Department (IMD). Between August 28 and September 3, rainfall in northwest India was 180% above average, and the south experienced a 73% increase.
More heavy rain is forecast across large parts of the country this week, further contributing to the devastation as landslides and floods inundate villages and towns, claiming hundreds of lives.
Changing Monsoon
The climate crisis is changing the behavior of the monsoon, with scientists reporting a significantly higher amount of moisture in the air due to warmer seas. Previously steady rains now often fall in brief, intense bursts following dry spells, especially in mountainous areas where phenomena called cloudbursts occur.
These cloudbursts have been particularly destructive in the Himalayan states. Meanwhile, as one travels south, the reasons for increased rainfall evolve. In states like Punjab and Haryana, an interaction between the existing monsoon system and westerly disturbances has led to prolonged periods of intense rainfall.
Westerly Disturbances
Western disturbances originating from the Mediterranean have been colliding with the humid monsoon air, creating dramatic weather events. The IMD confirmed that this clash resulted in record rainfall over several northern states.
Research scientist Akshay Deoras describes this interaction as a rare 'atmospheric tango' that caused heavy downpours, likening the monsoon to a loaded water cannon triggered by western disturbances.
Unusually, these disturbances have been pushed farther south this year due to changing jet streams influenced by global warming, setting the stage for extreme weather events.
Unstable Mountains
Flash floods and landslides, especially in northern India and parts of Pakistan, are exacerbated by rapid glacier melting and unstable mountain environments. Scientists suggest that the warming climate leads to increased instability in these regions, with rains eroding ground stability and creating additional hazards.
Man-made Disasters
Human actions, including settlement encroachment along rivers and hasty infrastructure development, compound the issues with floods. Insufficient maintenance of drainage systems has left many communities vulnerable to the current deluge. Experts stress the need for immediate action to address these vulnerabilities to minimize future risks.
As India faces this unprecedented monsoon crisis, it serves as a stark reminder of how climate change continues to reshape weather patterns and the urgent need for adaptive strategies to safeguard communities.
