‘Extreme rainfall’ risks to rise for India: Study | Pune News – Times of India

PUNE: Extreme rainfall events in India may see a significant rise by the end of this century with the Western Ghats and central India likely to be most affected, reports Neha Madaan.
An Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) study published recently in ‘Nature’ attributed the likely rise to high carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. It also indicated increased risks for the eastern coastal region and foothills of the Himalayas.
Areas experiencing extremely heavy rainfall during long-duration extreme events are likely to increase by 18% by years 2071-2100 compared to 1982-2014.Currently, about 8% of India’s land area sees such extreme rainfall. Intensity of extreme rainfall thresholds are projected to rise by 58% under high carbon dioxide emission scenario.
The study projects a two-fold increase in long-duration extreme events (lasting 3-6 days) compared to short-duration events. Such prolonged wet spells can have a socio-economic impact.
IITM scientist Jasti S Chowdary said, “By the end of the century, we project that the total number of days with extreme rainfall could rise to nine days per year for long-duration events, up from about four days now. In the far future, monsoon rainfall is projected to increase by 6% and 21%, respectively, under moderate and high scenarios.”