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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Climate
- Indian Express
Kishtwar flash flood: How climate change has contributed to extreme weather events in J&K
At least 65 people have been killed after torrential rain triggered a flash flood at a remote village in Jammu & Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday. The incident took place at Chasoti, the last motorable village on the way to the Machail Mata temple. More than 50 people are missing. While experts hesitate to attribute a single extreme weather event solely to climate change, they point out that flash floods and wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense due to the global rise in temperatures and changes in weather patterns. In J&K as elsewhere, the incidence of extreme weather events has increased with rising average temperatures, leading to the deaths of thousands of people in recent years. Between 2010 and 2022, J&K witnessed 2,863 extreme weather events in which 552 deaths were reported, according to a 2024 study, 'Extreme weather events induced mortalities in Jammu and Kashmir, India during 2010-2022', published in Mausam, the quarterly journal of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The analysis was carried out by IMD scientists Mukhtar Ahmed, Sonam Lotus, Farooq Ahmad Bhat, Amir Hassan Kichloo, and Shivinder Singh, with Bappa Das, a researcher at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. During these 12 years, thunderstorms — characterised by strong winds accompanied by lightning and sometimes precipitation — and heavy rain occurred frequently. While there were 1,942 instances of thunderstorms, heavy rain — defined as an incident in which a weather station receives 64.5-115.5 mm of rain in 24 hours — took place 409 times, the study said. Other frequent extreme weather events included flash floods (triggered by intense rainfall over a very short duration) and landslides, which occurred 168 and 186 times respectively. While there were just 42 instances of heavy snow (when a station receives more than 30 cm of snowfall in 24 hours) during this period, they killed 182 people, the heaviest toll extracted by any extreme weather event. The number of deaths due to flash floods, heavy rain, and landslides were 119, 111, and 71 respectively. The analysis also showed that the largest number of deaths due to flash floods occurred in Kishtwar (where Thursday's disaster occurred), Anantnag, Ganderbal, and Doda. The study noted that 'for the union territory as a whole, heavy rain and heavy snow have been two major disasters causing mortality, though flash floods, thunderstorms and windstorms are gaining importance'. Although several factors contribute to the occurrence of extreme weather events in J&K, the three significant drivers behind these events are rising temperatures, the changing pattern of Western Disturbances, and the region's topography. RISING TEMPERATURES: J&K is located in the western Himalayas, a region that has experienced a two-fold increase in temperature compared to the Indian subcontinent as a whole post-2000 ('Delving into Recent Changes in Precipitation Patterns over the Western Himalayas in a Global Warming Era', Global Warming — A Concerning Component of Climate Change, 2023). Due to this, the western Himalayas have witnessed increased mean and extreme precipitation. This is because warmer temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more water vapour — for every 1-degree-Celsius rise in average temperature, the atmosphere can hold about 7% more moisture. This leads to an increase in precipitation intensity, duration, and/or frequency, which ultimately causes severe flooding. Also, increased temperatures have shrunk glaciers in the region, resulting in an increase in the number of glacial lakes. Their water, when released, can cause major flooding in downstream areas. Mahesh Palawat, who works with Skymet Weather Services, told Climate Trends, a Delhi-based climate research organisation, on Friday, 'Since these lakes are not centuries old, the glacial lake edges are very unstable and prone to erosion, melting, and sudden failures. Whenever there is a spell of heavy rain, water tends to overflow and bring down slush and unconsolidated sediment, causing more damage downstream.' CHANGING NATURE OF WESTERN DISTURBANCES: Experts suggest that J&K could be witnessing more flash floods and rain due to global warming-induced changes in the nature of western disturbances. These are east-moving rain-bearing wind systems that originate beyond Afghanistan and Iran, and pick up moisture from the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Arabian Sea. While western disturbances are most common during the boreal winter months (December to March), they have now begun to impact weather outside the winter season. This has increased the risk of floods and heavy rain in India's Himalayan states. In May, Dr K J Ramesh, a former director general of meteorology at IMD, said: 'Global warming has led to rapid warming of the Arabian Sea, which then emits more moisture northwards… When the amplitude of western disturbances extends up to the North Arabian Sea, more moisture is fed into the system, resulting in intense weather activity over the hills.' TOPOGRAPHY: J&K's hilly terrain makes it more vulnerable to extreme weather events. Sachchida Nand Tripathi, dean of Kotak School of Sustainability at IIT-Kanpur, told Climate Trends, 'Topographically, the Himalayas comprise a series of diverse hill ranges that have a profound effect on weather patterns. One major factor is orographic rainfall — when moist air is forced to rise over the mountains, cooling and condensing into heavy precipitation.'
News18
17-07-2025
- Climate
- News18
63 Killed In A Single Day In Pakistan Due To Torrential Rains
Last Updated: Heavy rains battered Pakistan's Punjab province and led to over five dozen deaths. Over 63 people either drowned or got electrocuted to death as torrential rains battered Pakistan's Punjab province in a period of 24 hours. Over 290 people were injured during this period. A report by broadcaster BBC said that most of the victims were crushed by collapsing buildings and the rest drowned or were electrocuted to death, citing the Pakistani disaster management body. Authorities of Rawalpindi city declared Thursday as a public holiday to keep residents indoors and asked people living along Nullah Leh, a tributary of Indus, have been asked to evacuate, however, a Thursday report by GeoNews said that water levels started decreasing as the rain finally stopped after 18 hours. The latest deaths take the toll to nearly 180 since the monsoon started in late June in Pakistan. More than half of them were children, the BBC report pointed out. Floods have wreaked havoc across Punjab province, shutting down key expressways and disrupting dozens of flights. On Thursday, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz declared an emergency in several districts as rain-swollen rivers flooded towns and villages. In Chakwal, which recorded 400 mm of rain in a single day, rescue teams used boats to locate stranded residents, while military helicopters circled above submerged areas, the broadcaster said in its report. With more rains and flash floods forecast over the weekend, thousands of emergency workers have been put on standby. Pakistan's vulnerability to such disasters stems from its exposure to two clashing weather systems — the Western Disturbances, which bring high temperatures and drought-like conditions, and the Southwest Monsoon, which dumps heavy rains, often triggering floods. To make matters worse, Pakistan is home to over 13,000 glaciers, many of which are melting at an accelerated pace due to climate change. The risks became all too clear in 2022, when catastrophic monsoon floods killed 1,700 people and submerged a third of the country, inflicting economic losses of over $30 billion. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Conditions favourable for monsoon to revive in Maharashtra, rest of India from June 13: IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Wednesday the conditions are favourable for the revival of the Southwest Monsoon in Maharashtra and the rest of India from June 14, after a dry spell following its early onset. After an early start in Maharashtra, the progress of the monsoon has been halted, and the northern limit lies along Ahilyanagar, earlier known as Ahmednagar, in the state. While the monsoon entered Maharashtra on May 25, its further progress has been stalled. 'Heavy rainfall is very likely over isolated places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Coastal Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Marathwada. Winds with a speed of 40-60 k mph are also expected at places,' IMD said in a press statement. IMD also said Pune and its surrounding regions can start receiving rain from June 12 onwards. Major parts of the country, including North India, are yet to be covered by the monsoon. The onset of the monsoon took place on May 24 over Kerala as against its normal date of June 1. Excess rainfall for June A close look at the rainfall received across the country paints a different picture despite the slow progress of the monsoon. Barring a few districts in the North and Northeast, almost the entire country has reported excess rainfall in June than its normal. Major peninsular states like Maharashtra (1007 per cent), Karnataka (234 per cent), Telangana (341 per cent), and Madhya Pradesh (586 per cent) have also reported an excess of rainfall. Technically, the rainfall received by these states has been the monsoon rain, but the spatial distribution has become a concern. Most of the rain that the country has received is due to the low pressure created over the Arabian Sea and the Western Disturbances from May onwards. However, the Union Territory of Ladakh is the only place where the rains have been in deficit, and it has received 2 mm of rainfall as against the 2.4 mm. The absence of spatial distribution has farmers worried, with most holding their sowing activities in fear of the gap. 'For agriculture, we require both quantity as well as the distribution of the rainfall. The first week of June has seen heavy rain in many parts, but post that, the rains have all but disappeared,' said an IMD scientist.
India Gazette
08-06-2025
- Climate
- India Gazette
India records wettest May since 1901 with 126.7 mm rainfall: IMD
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that May 2025 was the wettest since 1901, with the country receiving an average rainfall of 126.7 mm last month. The early onset of the southwest monsoon brought continuous rainfall across southern and eastern India, contributing to this record. In a social media post on X, the IMD wrote, 'The average monthly rainfall for May 2025 over All-India (126.7 mm) and Central India (100.9 mm) was highest since 1901.' As per the Met Department, rainfall over the country in the month of May 2025 was 126.7 mm, which is 106 per cent more than its Long Period Average (LPA) of 61.4 mm. An official press release from the IMD reads, 'Rainfall over the country as a whole for the month of May 2025 was 126.7 mm, which is 106% more than its Long Period Average (LPA) of 61.4 mm...' 'The average monthly rainfall for May 2025 over All-India (126.7 mm) and Central India (100.9 mm) was the highest since 1901. While the monthly rainfall over South Peninsular India reached 199.7 mm, marking the second highest total since 1901, it was surpassed only by 201.4 mm recorded in 1990. Similarly, the monthly average rainfall over Northwest India (48.1 mm) was the 13th highest since 1901 and the 4th highest since 2001. The monthly rainfall over East & Northeast India region was 242.8 mm, which is the 29th highest since 1901 and the 4th highest since 2001,' it added. According to the IMD, during May, 25 subdivisions received large excess rainfall, five subdivisions received excess rain, and six subdivisions received normal rainfall. In May 2025, extremely heavy rainfall (>204.4 mm) was recorded along the West Coast, as well as in Assam and Meghalaya, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Madhya Maharashtra, and South Interior Karnataka. As per the weather department, very heavy rainfall (115.6-204.4 mm) occurred in Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, East Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Marathwada, North Interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema, Saurashtra and Kutch, Telangana, Vidarbha, and West Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, heavy rainfall events (64.5-115.5 mm) were observed across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, Gujarat Region, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and West Uttar Pradesh. The IMD stated that there were seven Western Disturbances (WDs) observed over the Indian region, which caused frequent occurrences of rain and thunderstorm activities accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorms across the Western Himalayan region, plains of Northwest and central India. In the month of May, most parts of India experience thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds and activities at regular intervals. The average maximum, average minimum and mean temperature for the country as a whole during May were below normal. The release reads, 'The average maximum, average minimum and mean temperature for the country as a whole during May were 35.08oC, 24.07oC and 29.57oC respectively, against the normal of 36.60oC, 24.17oC and 30.38oC based on data of 1991-2020. Thus, the average maximum, average minimum and mean temperature were below normal with departure from normal of -1.52oC, -0.10oC and -0.81oC, respectively, for the country as a whole.' Notably, this year, the Southwest Monsoon set in over Kerala on May 24, eight days earlier than its normal onset date of June 1. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
IMD says May 2025 breaks 124-year record as wettest month in India since 1901
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that May 2025 was the wettest since 1901, with the country receiving an average rainfall of 126.7 mm last month. The early onset of the southwest monsoon brought continuous rainfall across southern and eastern India, contributing to this record. In a social media post on X, the IMD wrote, 'The average monthly rainfall for May 2025 over All-India (126.7 mm) and Central India (100.9 mm) was highest since 1901.' As per the Met Department, rainfall over the country in the month of May 2025 was 126.7 mm, which is 106 per cent more than its Long Period Average (LPA) of 61.4 mm. An official press release from the IMD reads, "Rainfall over the country as a whole for the month of May 2025 was 126.7 mm, which is 106% more than its Long Period Average (LPA) of 61.4 mm..." "The average monthly rainfall for May 2025 over All-India (126.7 mm) and Central India (100.9 mm) was the highest since 1901. While the monthly rainfall over South Peninsular India reached 199.7 mm, marking the second highest total since 1901, it was surpassed only by 201.4 mm recorded in 1990. Similarly, the monthly average rainfall over Northwest India (48.1 mm) was the 13th highest since 1901 and the 4th highest since 2001. The monthly rainfall over East & Northeast India region was 242.8 mm, which is the 29th highest since 1901 and the 4th highest since 2001," it added. According to the IMD, during May, 25 subdivisions received large excess rainfall, five subdivisions received excess rain, and six subdivisions received normal rainfall. In May 2025, extremely heavy rainfall (>204.4 mm) was recorded along the West Coast, as well as in Assam and Meghalaya, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Madhya Maharashtra, and South Interior Karnataka. As per the weather department, very heavy rainfall (115.6-204.4 mm) occurred in Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, East Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Marathwada, North Interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema, Saurashtra and Kutch, Telangana, Vidarbha, and West Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, heavy rainfall events (64.5-115.5 mm) were observed across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, Gujarat Region, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and West Uttar Pradesh. The IMD stated that there were seven Western Disturbances (WDs) observed over the Indian region, which caused frequent occurrences of rain and thunderstorm activities accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorms across the Western Himalayan region, plains of Northwest and central India. In the month of May, most parts of India experience thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds and activities at regular intervals. The average maximum, average minimum and mean temperature for the country as a whole during May were below normal. The release reads, "The average maximum, average minimum and mean temperature for the country as a whole during May were 35.08oC, 24.07oC and 29.57oC respectively, against the normal of 36.60oC, 24.17oC and 30.38oC based on data of 1991-2020. Thus, the average maximum, average minimum and mean temperature were below normal with departure from normal of -1.52oC, -0.10oC and -0.81oC, respectively, for the country as a whole." Notably, this year, the Southwest Monsoon set in over Kerala on May 24, eight days earlier than its normal onset date of June 1.
