1. CEEW’s study, “Decoding India’s Changing Monsoon Patterns,” explores evolving monsoon trends.
2. Key findings offer detailed insights into fluctuating rainfall trends across India
3. Implications for different regions are highlighted, providing valuable climate information.
New Delhi, Jan 18: A comprehensive study titled “Decoding India’s Changing Monsoon Patterns” conducted by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) sheds light on the evolving monsoon patterns in India over the past decade.
The key findings provide detailed insights into the fluctuating rainfall trends and their implications for different regions.
Key Highlights:
1. Increased Monsoon Rainfall: Over 55% of India’s tehsils, or administrative units, witnessed an increase in monsoon rainfall during the 2012-22 decade compared to the 1982-2011 baseline. Notably, a surge of at least 10% was recorded in traditionally drier regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, central Maharashtra, and parts of Tamil Nadu.
2. Agricultural Hotspots Affected: Around 11% of key agricultural hotspots experienced a decline in monsoon rainfall during the same period. These regions, primarily located in the Indo-Gangetic plains, northeastern India, and the Himalayas, play a significant role in India’s agricultural production.
3. Frequency of Heavy Rainfall: Nearly two-thirds (64%) of tehsils observed an increase in the frequency of heavy rainfall, with 1-15 additional heavy rainfall days per year during the southwest monsoon. This trend contributes to the complex and varied precipitation patterns across the country.
4. Regional Disparities: While the southwest monsoon showcased increased rainfall in traditionally arid regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, central Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, other areas, including Northeast India, the Indo-Gangetic plains, and the Indian Himalayan region, experienced a decrease in the past decade.
5. Northeast Monsoon Impact: Rainfall during the northeast monsoon, particularly impacting peninsular India, increased by more than 10% in the past decade in tehsils across Tamil Nadu (80%), Telangana (44%), and Andhra Pradesh (39%).
6. Climate Change Influence: The study emphasizes the influence of climate change on the natural variability of Indian monsoons. Traditionally monsoon-rich regions witnessed a decrease, while traditionally drier areas saw an increase in southwest monsoon rainfall.
7. Recommendations for Climate Action: CEEW recommends the development of district-level climate action plans incorporating the soil-level climate risk assessments. This aligns with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s directive to revise State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) up to 2030.
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As India grapples with the evolving and often erratic monsoon patterns, the study underscores the importance of localized climate risk assessments and targeted action plans for sectors like agriculture, water, and energy.
The findings serve as a valuable resource for policymakers and stakeholders navigating the challenges posed by changing rainfall dynamics.
