Increasing Extreme Rainfall Events in India: A Decade of Disasters
Explained: How extreme rainfall events in India have been steadily increasing over the past decade or so
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
India is facing a surge in extreme rainfall events, with significant implications for urban flooding and disaster management. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts below-normal rainfall this monsoon season, but the frequency of extreme weather events has been rising, attributed to climate change. Major cities have experienced severe flooding incidents annually since 2013.
- 01Extreme rainfall events in India have increased significantly over the past decade.
- 02The IMD forecasts below-normal rainfall for the current monsoon season, but this does not predict the occurrence of extreme events.
- 03Major cities have experienced at least one significant flooding disaster each year since 2013.
- 04Urban planning issues contribute to the severity of flooding, exacerbated by climate change.
- 05Floods accounted for over 55% of disaster expenditures by Indian states from 2019-2024.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the country will receive only 92% of normal rainfall this monsoon season. However, this forecast does not reflect the increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events, which have been on the rise over the past decade. Since the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy, India has witnessed at least one major rainfall-related disaster annually, with multiple incidents occurring in some years, including 2023. The IMD classifies extreme rainfall as exceeding 21 cm in a 24-hour period, and the number of such events has consistently surpassed 100 annually since 2017. The intensity of these events is a growing concern, as they often lead to significant urban flooding, particularly in densely populated cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Poor urban planning and climate change are key contributors to the severity of these disasters. Between 2012 and 2021, floods resulted in nearly 17,500 deaths, indicating the urgent need for improved disaster management and urban governance to address the challenges posed by extreme weather.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events poses significant risks to urban populations, leading to flooding and loss of life. Cities must adapt their infrastructure and planning to mitigate these risks.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
How should cities prepare for increasing extreme rainfall events?
Connecting to poll...
More about India Meteorological Department
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.