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 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.
The climate crisis is changing the behavior of the monsoon. Scientists report a significant increase in moisture in the air due to warming ocean temperatures. Unlike in the past when monsoon rains were steady and evenly distributed over four months, now they often arrive in massive volumes over short periods, leading to severe localized flooding.
In August, prolonged heavy rainfall affected states like Punjab and Haryana, primarily due to the interaction between the existing monsoon system and weather disturbances from the Mediterranean. These conditions created what meteorologists describe as a rare 'atmospheric tango' that intensified the deluge.
Extreme rainfall has not only resulted from climatic changes but also from human activities. Urban expansion has encroached on river paths and floodplains, obstructing natural watercourses. Poor infrastructure development and lack of maintenance of drainage systems have compounded the flooding risks. Experts suggest that addressing these human factors is vital for minimizing future impacts from heavy rains and floods.
This year’s monsoon patterns remind us of the urgent need to adapt to our changing climate and improve our resilience against natural disasters.
