Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Changing Monsoon Patterns in Peninsular India by Sudarshan Gurjar
Changing Monsoon Patterns in Peninsular India by Sudarshan Gurjar
R
JA
Changing Monsoon Patterns in Peninsular India
R
U
G
AN
SH
AR
D
SU
● Monsoon is a seasonal change in the direction of the prevailing, or strongest, winds of a region.
They cause wet and dry seasons throughout much of the tropics. Monsoons are most often
associated with the Indian Ocean.
● Monsoon patterns in Peninsular India have been undergoing significant changes due to a variety of
R
factors.
JA
● These changes, ranging from alterations in the timing of monsoon arrival and withdrawal to
variations in rainfall distribution, have substantial implications for the region's climate, agriculture,
and overall ecological balance.
R
U
Causes of Changing Monsoon Patterns:
G
Cause Key Details
AN
Changing Climate and ● Global Warming - warmer climate has a greater capacity to hold
Anthropogenic Activities water. When finally released it results in heavier downpour.
● “Brown cloud” formed over Indian ocean because of Aerosols
SH
absorb heat.
SU
Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) La Niña conditions over the equatorial Pacific Ocean and neutral IOD
conditions over the Indian Ocean. Favorable MJO location led to higher than
@
usual rainfall
Arctic Sea-Ice Loss Loss led to high sea-level pressure over western Europe and northeastern
China, steering planetary waves southeastward and delaying monsoon
La Niña + Abnormal warming of ● Characterized by cooler than average sea surface temperatures over
East Indian Ocean + Negative the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, affects trade winds and
Indian Ocean Dipole triggers formation of low-pressure areas leading to increased rainfall
in India.
R
Negative IOD = less rain, more monsoon breaks
JA
R
U
Consequence of Changing Monsoon Patterns in Peninsular India:
G
● Weakened Monsoon circulation across India.
● Increase in localized heavy rainfall and longer dry spells.
AN
During October & November, country has received 53% more rainfall, particularly in the
peninsular region.
Cyclone Jawad, a tropical cyclone made landfall in Odisha during winters of 2021, was
SH
(> 35°C) induce heat stress and affect plant physiological processes, leading to spikelet
sterility, non-viable pollen and reduced grain quality.
● Variations in monsoon can affect the availability of fresh water, impacting water security. Recharge
D
of dams and reservoirs also gets affected if monsoons spill over into October.
● Altered monsoon patterns can affect the ecosystems and biodiversity of the region.
SU
● Increased instances of heavy rainfall can lead to more frequent and severe flooding and landslides.
December is usually the end of North East Monsoons but most parts pof Kerela reported
flash floods, landslides, mudslides, etc.
@
(Connecting water security point to the same, in 2021 the same state of Kerala was
experiencing water scarcity due to scanty rains brought by South West Monsoons)
● Changes in monsoon patterns can have substantial economic implications, particularly for sectors
like agriculture, fishing, and energy production, which are heavily dependent on predictable
weather patterns
R
JA
R
U
G
AN
SH
AR
D
SU
@