Monsoon Mayhem: Why India's Rains Turn Deadly
Extreme monsoon downpours fuelled by climate change and shifting weather patterns have caused deadly floods and landslides across India.
India is facing its deadliest monsoon season in decades as relentless rains have triggered floods and landslides across the country, killing hundreds and displacing thousands.
Record Downpours and Flooding
Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan recorded rainfall up to 1,000% above normal in 24 hours, the Indian Meteorological Department reports. Between 28 August and 3 September, northwest India saw 180% more rain than average, while the south received 73% above normal levels. More heavy showers are forecast nationwide this week, aggravating the crisis.
Monsoon Shifts Driven by Climate Change
Warming oceans have increased atmospheric moisture, leading to intense, localized deluges instead of evenly spread rains. These 'cloudbursts' often hit mountainous regions, causing sudden torrents that devastate Himalayan states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
Interplay with Westerly Disturbances
Meteorologists attribute prolonged heavy rains in August to interactions between the monsoon and westerly disturbances—low-pressure systems from the Mediterranean. This rare 'atmospheric tango' led to sustained downpours in northern states. Unusually wavy jet streams, influenced by global warming, steered these disturbances southward, amplifying rainfall.
Mountain Instability and Human Factors
Rapid glacier melt, collapsing glacial lakes and rain-induced snowfield runoffs destabilize mountain slopes, triggering floods and landslides even without extreme rainfall. Unplanned development on floodplains, blocked waterways and aging embankments have worsened the impact, say experts.
Climate-driven shifts in moisture, rare weather interactions and human factors combined to turn India's monsoon into a deadly force.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
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