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 28 August and 3 September, rainfall in northwest India was 180% above average, and in the south, it was 73%. More heavy rain is forecast across large parts of the country this week.
The rains have caused landslides and floods in several parts of the country, inundating villages and towns and killing hundreds. Scientists say one of the main changes is that there is a much higher amount of moisture in the air now, from both the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, due to a warmer climate. They observe that monsoon rains, traditionally steady and spread over months, now often fall in huge volumes within short time frames after prolonged dry spells, especially in mountainous regions.
In August, prolonged heavy rainfall lashed states like Punjab and Haryana. Experts attribute this to the interaction between the monsoon system and western disturbances—a low-pressure system from the Mediterranean region. This phenomenon has been amplified by climate change, leading to intense weather activity across northern India.
Further complications arise from human activities. Rampant urban development, blocking of waterways, and failure to maintain river embankments have contributed to the severity of flooding events. The ongoing situation serves as a reminder of how interconnected and volatile weather patterns are becoming, demanding immediate action to mitigate future impact.
The rains have caused landslides and floods in several parts of the country, inundating villages and towns and killing hundreds. Scientists say one of the main changes is that there is a much higher amount of moisture in the air now, from both the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, due to a warmer climate. They observe that monsoon rains, traditionally steady and spread over months, now often fall in huge volumes within short time frames after prolonged dry spells, especially in mountainous regions.
In August, prolonged heavy rainfall lashed states like Punjab and Haryana. Experts attribute this to the interaction between the monsoon system and western disturbances—a low-pressure system from the Mediterranean region. This phenomenon has been amplified by climate change, leading to intense weather activity across northern India.
Further complications arise from human activities. Rampant urban development, blocking of waterways, and failure to maintain river embankments have contributed to the severity of flooding events. The ongoing situation serves as a reminder of how interconnected and volatile weather patterns are becoming, demanding immediate action to mitigate future impact.
