Climate change behind delayed monsoon'

RICHA POPAT, SNS, KOLKATA: As the city continues to face a dry spell with no hope of rainfall, climate change and global warming are being counted as the major reasons behind the drastic change in the weather, since it's a rare case when Kolkata goes with-out rainfall.' half-way through May and almost, entire June

The city has been experiencing longer summers and more intense heat waves. causing extremely uncomfortable weather with no hope of respite from it.

'Climate change is an evident reason for the rise in temperature. It is a reality now. The average temperature has increased and it is becoming obvious that it will keep on increasing," said Mr Ganesh Das, a scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre of Kolkata. He further added that it is not just in Kolkata. but all over India. the difference between maximum and minimum temperatures, is decreasing -which implies minimum temperature is increasing but the maximum temperature remains almost unchanged. Moreover, night time temperatures have been on a rise.

Apart from climate change, there have been many man made reasons leading to the uncomfortable weather. Some very evident reasons being the use of coolers, air-conditioners, and increasing pollution. "It is difficult to step out during the day time. The scorching heat and humidity makes it difficult to get any work done if it requires us to step out of office," said Rash Upadhyay who works at a private organisation.

Mr Das further added on this note, saying. "These appliances are adding to the rise in temperature, but reduction in greenery and clearing out of most of the grass area stands as another cause for the same."

Cyclone Fani, which caused major destruction in parts of Odisha, was s aid to hit Kolkata as well. with lesser intensity, but instead it was reduced to heavy rains and gusty winds. The reasons cited for this, was that."There has been an increase in sea surface temperature which contributes majorly to changing of intensity of cyclones. Higher the sea surface temperature, lesser is the risk of cyclones."

Asked about the biggest impact of climate &range. Mr Das stated. "The days of monsoon will decrease, in awn leading to increase in the intensity of thes howers" He added that this in turn will lead to excessive waterlogging issues and possibly, the management might not be ready to deal with such heavy rainfall all at once. It could be possible that the amount of rain expected in 20 days will fall in a time span of 10 days only. "In simple terms, the intensity of light rain is decreasing and the intensity of moderate to heavy rain is increasing." added Mr Das.