Monsoons In Delhi

A loud crack of thunder jolted many residents out of their beds in the early morning of June 28th. Looking out into their streets, people could hardly see across to the other side-water was like a wall. Then, the monsoon came to Delhi with a vengeance. By the end of the day, 23 centimeters of rain had drenched India's capital, times what it usually receives during the whole month of June, the wettest 24 hours since 1966. The aftermath was catastrophic. More than a dozen people died in the assorted "rain-related incidents." This nightmare day was a graphic reminder that people in parts of India and South Asia may face more days just like this one in store as climate change continues to alter the weather.

The number of "extreme rain days"-basically, more than 150 millimeters of precipitation in 24 hours-has risen in India since the mid-20th century. Global warming appears to be making the monsoon even more variable. As the temperature increases, the extremes will likely become even more destructive, affecting millions of livelihoods and lives across the region. These extreme rain days have caused severe flooding that has devastated communities and destroyed homes and crops, creating food shortages and economic hardship for thousands of families.

In a perfect year, the monsoon brings ample but moderate rain to India between June and September, irrigating crops and refilling groundwater as it sweeps north steadily from the country's southern tip. Seasonal rainfall is the key to farming; most agriculture depends heavily on the monsoons for water. But in reality, things can be very, very different. Predicting the monsoon has always been notoriously fickle, with influences from many factors. The monsoon usually comes in spurts, in prolonged dry spells interspersed with sudden deluges that the parched earth or city sewer systems can hardly handle. Such unpredictability does nothing but render good preparations by farmers and urban planners increasingly tricky.

Such variations are becoming even more extreme as the climate changes. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, and when it rains, it rains heavier. This increases the risks of extreme events, such as those experienced in Delhi. Flooding is more frequent and intense, thus causing destruction and loss of life. In turn, it is separated by periods of drought-inducing dryness that may impact water supply and agriculture. The linked dual threats of floods and droughts create a very intricate challenge that will require how policymakers and communities alike will find a way to adapt and continue to thrive.