Source: The post Climate change is reshaping India’s monsoon clouds and rainfall has been created, based on the article “Climate change reshaping India’s monsoon clouds” published in “businessline ” on 31 May 2025. Climate change is reshaping India’s monsoon clouds and rainfall
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment
Context: India’s monsoon clouds are changing due to global warming. A recent study using 20 years of data highlights shifts in cloud structure, with serious effects on agriculture, rainfall, and climate resilience. These changes signal that climate change is already impacting daily life.
Changing Cloud Dynamics Over India
- Increase in Cloudy Days, Decline in Rain Clouds: Cloudy days during monsoon have risen by 13% per decade. However, this increase is not due to rain-heavy, low-level clouds. These have actually declined by 8%, while high-level clouds have increased by 11% per decade.
- Significance of Cloud Type Changes: Low-level clouds are thicker and reflect sunlight, helping cool the surface and bring stable rain. Their decline is worrying. High clouds trap heat, and often don’t bring rain, or are linked to extreme weather.
- Rising Cloud Heights: As the atmosphere warms, clouds form at higher altitudes. This vertical shift points to deeper changes in the structure of monsoon clouds, with high clouds becoming more frequent and elevated.
The Role of Global Warming
- Warming Atmosphere and Moisture Shift: The study shows strong warming in the upper troposphere. Heat and moisture are rising, leading to more high cloud formation and fewer rain-bearing low clouds.
- Tropopause Rising Rapidly: The tropopause has risen by 480 metres per decade. This is a clear signal that the troposphere is expanding, driven by increased warming.
- Impact on Atmospheric Stability: The rise in equivalent potential temperature at higher levels shows that the upper atmosphere is holding more heat and moisture. This promotes high cloud formation and alters rainfall behaviour.
Influence of Global Climate Systems
- Global Indicators Linked to Cloud Changes: The study found strong links between rising global temperatures (GWI) and high cloud growth. Other systems like ENSO and NAO also influence monsoon patterns.
- Monsoon Not Just a Local Process: Cloud changes over India are connected to broader global systems. This makes forecasting harder and strengthens the case for deeper climate research.
Urgent Need for Adaptation
- Threat to Food and Water Security: Changing cloud types affect when and how rain falls, impacting crops and groundwater. This threatens food and water availability.
- Action on Resilience and Forecasting: India must invest in better forecasting tools and climate-resilient farming. The evidence is clear: monsoon patterns are shifting, and adaptation is urgent.
Question for practice:
Examine how global warming is altering monsoon cloud patterns in India and its implications for agriculture and climate resilience.
