India has always been maintaining that the West is increasingly unwilling to take on the mantle of climate leadership owing to global headwinds. And that India is very serious about tackling climate change issues. However, India needs to take a hard look at its’ policies. To begin with, the weather is an apt tool to determine how poorly India has treated the challenges of climate change.
Gujarat, central Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan have seen an unprecedented increase in rainfall levels. It’s gone up by 30% over the last decade in these states as opposed to the previous 30-year average. In fact, as we write this, it has been raining in over a dozen districts in Gujarat.
Environmentalists have linked the extreme weather patterns on account of global warming to climate change. Warming oceans, they observed, are carrying more moisture, leading to erratic and heavy rainfall.
At the summit, India might cite Gujarat as a recent example to further this serious climate-change agenda.
Unseasonal downpours, unexpected gusts, and changing temperatures has become the state’s new normal.
In Valsad, downpours and conditions similar to a semblance of cyclone have been reported.
Dharampur and Kaprada witnessed intense rainfall. Strong winds battered Valsad, reportedly damaging portions of the District Seva Sadan building.
Low-lying areas were left waterlogged after the sudden spell. Villages such as Phulwadi, Zharia, Bhensdhara, Barolia, Dhamni, and Bilpudi also saw torrential rain.
Amreli was the hottest in the state on Monday, reportedly reaching the 38°C mark, making it a strange season of festivities.
The unseasonal showers have alarmed farmers. Many fear damage to their winter crops just as the festive season begins.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more unseasonal rain across parts of South Gujarat, Sabarkantha, Mahisagar, and Aravalli districts. The intensity is expected to increase after October 25. Light to moderate showers may also reach Saurashtra and Kutch during the same period.
The weather is switching between extremes in Ahmedabad. It’s insanely hot during the day. Temperatures plunge after sunset. Ahmedabad-wadis wrap themselves in blankets and gather around small fires. It last recorded a maximum temperature of 36°C, while the minimum was 22°C.
This pattern is expected to continue for the next five days, the IMD has reportedly said. A slight increase in cold climate is likely after October 26.
Light rainfall may occur in parts of South Gujarat over the next three days.
A Strange Diwali
· Ahmedabad recorded India’s highest daytime temperature on October 23 at 36°C, according to data provided by DownToEarth
· Lucknow witnessed the highest jump at 5°C
· Gangtok recorded the highest jump at 4°C
· Port Blair, Patna, Amravati, Agartala, Mumbai, Minicoy, Kolkata, Panjim, and Chennai saw record night-time highs at 25°C
Also Read: Climate Change: Indian Govt Faces Challenge Over Fund Distribution https://www.vibesofindia.com/climate-change-govt-faces-challenge-over-fund-distribution/
