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Time of India
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Extreme weather another sign of climate change disrupting patterns, warn experts
Dehradun: India is reeling under an intense and prolonged heatwave sweeping through its northwestern, central, and eastern regions. Experts say climate change is rapidly altering the country's weather patterns, making such extremes more frequent and intense. Daytime temperatures have soared past 44°C across Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana, while Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand are also under severe heat stress. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for five consecutive days since June 9, one of the most persistent warnings this season. This surge in heat follows a cooler-than-expected start to summer, driven by sporadic rainfall and thunderstorms, particularly over the Indo-Gangetic plains. Delhi even recorded its wettest May ever, with 186.4 mm of rainfall, surpassing the 2008 record. However, the monsoon's advance stalled after reaching Mumbai and parts of the Northeast, and weakened western disturbances allowed hot, dry northwesterly winds from the Thar Desert to engulf the subcontinent. "The continuous flow of hot winds from Rajasthan—where temperatures neared 48°C—is fueling the heat across eastern and central India," said Mahesh Palawat, VP (meteorology and climate change), Skymet Weather. He added that delayed and disrupted monsoon currents, combined with lower moisture content in the air, are worsening heatwave conditions. The added humidity, particularly in the northern and eastern plains, is pushing heat indices to dangerous levels. KJ Ramesh, former director general of IMD, said that these developments are clearly linked to global warming. "There is no doubt climate change has increased the severity and frequency of heatwaves. Even a small rise in humidity can add 2–4°C to perceived temperatures, raising health risks," he said. Ramesh also noted that hilly states are now witnessing temperature increases of 2–4°C—once deemed unlikely. Recent data indicates a troubling pattern: both surface temperatures and humidity are rising, leading to more "thermal discomfort" days, especially in northwest India. The spread and frequency of heatwave days are also shifting. A study titled 'Shifting of the Zone of Occurrence of Extreme Weather Event—Heat Waves' highlighted that previously safe areas like Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala reported heatwaves during 2011–2020. The study also observed a southward shift in heatwave zones over the past three decades. "The rise in heatwaves across places previously untouched is a clear sign of a deepening climate crisis," the study said. States such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh have experienced an increase in extreme heat incidents since the 2000s. Meteorologists are also noticing altered wind and pressure patterns. A strong high-pressure zone over Western Russia in May reportedly diverted winds over India, allowing dry air from Afghanistan and Pakistan to dominate and delay monsoon activity. "These blocking patterns tweaked the atmosphere, shutting down cloud formation and monsoon progression," said Akshay Deoras, Research Scientist, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, UK. Weakened pre-monsoon winds over northern India are further compounding the issue by reducing the flow of cooler air, while stronger winds in the south are transporting more moisture, increasing humidity. Experts link this north-south divergence to weakening westerlies and monsoonal disruptions. The cumulative effect is evident in mortality data. Andhra Pradesh and Odisha reported the highest heat-related fatalities in the 2000s, with Andhra alone recording over 3,000 deaths in the 2010s. Telangana saw a steep rise in June deaths, while Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh continue to witness high fatalities from prolonged dry heat. Cities are particularly vulnerable due to the urban heat island effect. "India is witnessing a sharp surge in heat-related hospitalisations, especially from heatstroke. What's worrying is that extreme heat is now extending into monsoon months," said Palak Balyan, Research Lead at Climate Trends. "Prolonged exposure to heat and humidity is increasing health risks, particularly for outdoor workers, the elderly, children, and the urban poor. " Balyan emphasised the urgent need for adaptation strategies: "We need robust heat action plans, climate-resilient infrastructure, and targeted public health responses to deal with this escalating threat." With traditional summer patterns giving way to prolonged and uncertain extremes, experts say India must act swiftly to confront the realities of a warming climate. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Storm in Delhi, floods in hill states: Impact of climate change-induced changing patterns of Western Disturbances
Heavy rainfall and strong winds were witnessed across Delhi and its surrounding region on early Friday (May 2) morning, leading to waterlogging at several locations and flight disruption at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The weather conditions were triggered by a fresh Western Disturbance over northern and northwestern parts of the country, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Notably, there has been an increase in the frequency of Western Disturbances this year which is directly linked to soaring global temperatures, according to a new analysis by Climate Trends, a Delhi -based climate research organisation. The analysis, which was published last week, also found that the change in behavioural pattern of the weather system resulted in heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides in Himalayan states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in March and April. It also helped keep prolonged heatwaves at bay in northwestern plains. 'After remaining insignificant till January, Western Disturbances picked up frequency from late January onwards and have been affecting Western Himalayas at regular intervals. The influence of Western Disturbances has been growing significantly over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. They have been dumping more rainfall over the Himalayan region, which is directly related to climate change,' Dr K J Ramesh, former director general of meteorology, IMD, told Climate Trends. Here is a look at how climate change is affecting Western Disturbances. But first, what are Western Disturbances? Western Disturbances 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 the Arabian Sea. These are examples of extra-tropical cyclones that are a result of low-pressure areas formed due to the interactions between polar and tropical winds. Western Disturbances are embedded within the subtropical westerly jet stream — a high-altitude, fast-moving air current that flows from west to east in the Earth's atmosphere — that lies over the Himalayan and Tibetan highlands. They are most common during the boreal winter months (December to March) and influence weather over India, particularly the northwestern regions, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. How is climate change affecting Western Disturbances? Experts believe that rising global temperatures are affecting the traditional behaviour of Western Disturbances. For instance, Western Disturbances that occur in winter have increased significantly over the western and central Himalayas and the Hindu Kush in the last 70 years, according to a 2024 study, published by the journal Weather and Climate Dynamics. This could be happening due to the strengthening of the subtropical westerly jet stream, meaning the wind currents within the jet stream are becoming faster and stronger. Scientists suggest that warmer temperatures have a pivotal role in making such jet streams stronger. Western Disturbances are also now impacting the weather outside the winter season. In the last 70 years, they have become more common in May, June, and July, months where they were previously rare, according to the 2024 study. One reason for this trend could be the 'delayed northward retreat of the subtropical jet, which historically has occurred before the onset of the summer monsoon.' As a result, there has been an increase in instances where Western Disturbances have occurred during monsoon, leading to a rise in extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and floods. Changes in the characteristics of Western Disturbances could also be because of the year-round moisture feeding. One of the main reasons for this is the rapid warming of the Arabian Sea in recent decades, which has resulted in the release of more moisture. A 2022 study, published in the journal Earth Science Reviews, found that sea surface temperatures over the Arabian Sea increased by 1.2 degrees Celsius to 1.4 degrees Celsius in recent decades compared to four decades ago. This has likely made precipitation more frequent and intense. Soaring temperatures have broadened the subtropical westerly jet stream, allowing Western Disturbances to travel in different directions in a wider area, according to the Climate Trends analysis. 'Western Disturbances will now have more meridional oscillations (leading to a change in temperature and precipitation), which means that they can now travel to the north boundary as well as to the south boundary of the jet. Earlier, there was not enough space for such oscillation in comparison to the present situation,' Dimri said.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Climate change reshapes Western Disturbances, drenching Himalayas and preventing prolonged heat waves in plains
Dehradun: A series of intense Western Disturbances brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to the Himalayas through April, triggering flash floods and landslides in multiple states. Last week's flash floods in Jammu & Kashmir followed similar events in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand earlier in April, pointing to a worrying shift in mountain weather. "An increased frequency of Western Disturbances has disrupted the dry, hot northwesterly winds," said Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather, adding, "They're replaced by cooler easterly flows, preventing prolonged heatwaves on the plains but dumping more rain in the hills." Former IMD director general Dr K J Ramesh added that these systems have grown markedly stronger since Jan. "Western Disturbances were insignificant till Jan. Now they're hitting the Western Himalaya at regular intervals, dumping more rainfall: a clear signal of climate change ." He said a warmer Arabian Sea is feeding additional moisture into each disturbance, intensifying its impact. Rainfall from Western Disturbances in April is particularly concerning as these systems typically bring winter rain that contributes to spring snowmelt. Their persistence into late spring disrupts seasonal patterns. Climate scientists have identified three major shifts driving this new pattern. First, the widening of the subtropical westerly jet, a high-altitude ribbon of fast-moving winds, now gives storms more room to "oscillate" across both the Karakoram and lower Himalayan ranges, leading to increased rain and snow, said Professor A P Dimri of JNU. Second cause is the splitting of storm tracks – the usual path of Western Disturbances now diverges, with some storms pushing north into high mountains and others dipping south over the foothills, a rare occurrence a decade ago. Third is the occurrence of heavy, short-lived downpours even on days without disturbances, due to additional moisture from the Bay of Bengal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo These changes threaten water security and pose risk for hazards. Western Disturbances account for about 15% of the region's annual rainfall and are crucial for spring snowmelt, which irrigates wheat and rice crops. But now, erratic events like flash floods, landslides, and heavy snow are on the rise. "Seasonal boundaries are blurring," warned Professor Anjal Prakash of the Bharti Institute. "These aren't isolated anomalies but signs of a climate re-engineering India's weather systems. Authorities must adapt swiftly." The latest IPCC assessment warns of further Himalayan wetting, more extreme events like cloudbursts and flash floods, and continued glacier decline—except in parts of the Karakoram, where increased winter snowfall may offer temporary relief. As Western Disturbances evolve under a warming climate, real-time monitoring and improved forecasting will be critical to protect communities, infrastructure, and water resources across this fragile region.
India Today
30-04-2025
- Climate
- India Today
Frequent western disturbances causing extreme weather in hilly states: Scientists
Back-to-back western disturbances have led to heavy rainfall in Himalayan states, making them vulnerable to extreme weather events, meteorologists have week, flash floods and landslides occurred in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, while parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand recorded heavy rainfall earlier this month, triggering floods and the back-to-back western disturbances have been able to keep a check on the prolonged heatwaves in the northwestern plains so far, said Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather, a private weather forecasting "Heatwave has made on and off appearance over the northwestern plains as an increased frequency of western disturbances has been affecting the flow of dry and hot northwesterly winds. These warmer winds are replaced with easterly winds, which are comparatively cooler and are bringing temperatures down," he added that parts of central and west India have also not seen prolonged heatwave spells due to the changing wind KJ Ramesh, former Director General of Meteorology, India Meteorological Department, said a rise in the frequency of western disturbances has made the Himalayan states more vulnerable to extreme weather events, directly linked to climate change."After remaining insignificant till January, western disturbances picked up frequency from late January onwards and have been affecting western Himalayas at regular intervals. The influence of western disturbances has been growing significantly over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. They have been dumping more rainfall over the Himalayan region, which is directly related to climate change," he disturbances are storms that predominantly affect north India and Pakistan during winters. These weather systems are embedded within the subtropical westerly jet that lies over the Indian region. Western disturbances travel across the year, but in different travel in lower latitudes during winters, bringing significant amounts of rain and snow over north India. In summers, these weather systems tend to travel to higher latitudes, confining snow and rainfall activities to the higher reaches of the is known fact that the rising global temperatures are instrumental in amplifying the extreme weather events led by western disturbances."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," Dr Ramesh said."If we see the snow water equivalent anomaly, there is the presence of unusual snowfall. In a large sense, their weather patterns this year show a different trend," he water equivalent is the depth of water that would cover the ground if the snow cover was in a liquid have warned against an increasing erratic trend in western disturbances amid global warming."Western disturbances will now have more meridional oscillations, which means that they can now travel to the north boundary as well as to the south boundary of the jet. Earlier, there was not enough space for such oscillations in comparison to the present situation. They are also getting uplifted and are now reaching up to Karakoram range, bringing more snowfall there," said Dr Ramesh. IN THIS STORY#Heatwave
