Prepare for Intensified Monsoon Season Ahead
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rainfall in September than the long-period average, signalling a potential increase in flash floods and cloudbursts across the country. This upward trend in precipitation is consistent with the series of extreme weather events the world has been witnessing due to climate change.
According to the IMD, most regions of India can expect normal to above-normal rainfall in September, excluding some areas dependent on the northeast monsoon and pockets of northwestern and northeastern India. The forecast predicts nine percent more rainfall than the long-period average of 167.9 mm for the month.
The continued occurrence of flash floods and cloudbursts, particularly in Uttarakhand, has been claiming hundreds of lives, necessitating immediate action. To mitigate urban flooding, authorities in cities, particularly those in plateau regions, should consider building in-situ underground rainwater harvesting tanks. Preventing blockages to the natural flow of water in Himalayan states could also help reduce flash floods.
Experts from various disciplines, including meteorology, water management, agriculture, infrastructure, and disaster risk reduction, have suggested that the government appoint a team to recommend measures for making the country monsoon-ready. The focus should be on adapting to the current conditions rather than expecting nature to adapt to human activities.
The government should also regulate human activity on hilltops in Himalayan states to reduce the risk of landslides and flash floods. Nature, historically more powerful than humans, has allowed them to survive by humbly adapting to it. It is time for a reset in human behaviour to address the impact of flash floods and cloudbursts.
However, it is important to note that India alone cannot reverse the trend of extreme weather events due to climate change. The solution lies in adaptation. The IMD's forecast does not apply to areas dependent on the northeast monsoon and pockets of northwestern and northeastern India. Historical data suggest a slight upward trend in September precipitation since 1980, with exceptions in 1986, 1991, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015, and 2019.
People cannot expect to live their lives exactly as their ancestors did due to the impact of flash floods and cloudbursts. It is crucial to remember that we are part of nature, not separate from it. As we move forward, it is essential to prioritise adaptation and work together to create a sustainable future.
