When El Nino and the monsoon meet in India: Rain checks for our times

Source: The post is based on the article “When El Nino and the monsoon meet in India: Rain checks for our times” published in “ The Indian express” on 20th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

News:  In this article author discusses the changing monsoon patterns in India due to climate factors like El Nino, its impact on agriculture and livelihoods, and suggests strategies like mapping, financial planning, and restoring ecosystems to tackle these changes.

What are the reasons for change in monsoon pattern in India?

El Nino: Characterized by warming of the Central and Eastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean, it influences global weather patterns. For example, during El Nino years, rainfall trends over 132 years show frequent drought-like conditions in India.

Indian Ocean Dipole and Madden-Julian Oscillation: These regional phenomena significantly shape monsoon dynamics.

Climatic Events: Like, in June, cyclone Biparjoy hit the western coast, leading to erratic monsoon onset in other parts.

Human Impact: As the climate changes, unpredictable monsoons occur, affecting 75% of India’s rain-fed farmlands.

How can India tackle this challenge?

Mapping and Forecasting: a) Identify monsoon variability impacts, b) Create a high-resolution monsoon variability index for vulnerabilities at city and block levels, c) Strengthen early warning systems for accurate predictions.

Financial Planning and Integration: a) Merge public and private funds to handle financial challenges from erratic monsoons, b)Have the central bank monitor climate patterns like El Nino for better financial planning, c) Implement mandatory reporting as per the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Ecosystem Restoration: a) Prioritize rehabilitating ecosystems like mangroves, wetlands, and forests, b) Promote nature-based solutions for climate challenges, c) Allocate resources for sustainable land restoration to mitigate climate impact.

Shared Responsibility: a) Encourage all societal sections to collaboratively address climate change, b) Focus on being proactive rather than using alarming rhetoric.

Adopting these strategies can ensure India’s preparedness against monsoon changes and its consequences.