Climate of India

Introduction When people hear that El Niño is expected to weaken the Indian summer monsoon , they often assume that rainfall will remain uniformly low throughout the season. This is one of the most common misconceptions about the monsoon. Seasonal rainfall and daily rainfall extremes are not the same thing. A season can end with below-normal total rainfall , yet still witness episodes of extremely heavy rainfall over localized regions. Unfortunately, these short-lived but intense rainfall events are often the ones responsible for floods, landslides, urban inundation, and significant loss of life and property.       "El Niño influences the seasonal total rainfall over India, not every individual rainfall event. Therefore, even in an El Niño year with below-normal seasonal rainfall, some regions can still experience episodes of extremely heavy rainfall capable of causing severe floods and landslides." The widespread heavy rainfall observed across India during the past few...

Introduction After remaining closed for two days due to heavy rainfall, many schools in Pune reopened today. The decision reflected the improving weather situation, with the risk of further heavy rainfall having reduced. Yet, across several parts of the city, the impacts of the previous days' rainfall were still evident. Waterlogged roads, inundated low-lying areas, overflowing drains, damaged road surfaces, and traffic disruptions continued to affect daily life. This situation offers an important reminder: the end of heavy rainfall does not necessarily mean the end of risk. The Rain May Stop, But the Risks Can Persist Weather forecasts help us understand the likelihood of future rainfall, but they cannot instantly remove the impacts of rain that has already fallen. Even after the skies clear, the effects of heavy rainfall often remain for hours or even days. Residual hazards may include: Waterlogged roads concealing potholes or open drains. Flooded underpasses and low-lying street...