Climate Change and India

Extreme or unusual weather is a regular occurrence these days. Every day we read in our newspapers or listen on TV / Radio about unusual climatic events occurring worldwide. Not only are these events causing extreme hardships, they are also impacting our way of life. The Air Asia disaster, that happened last month, is being blamed on an extreme weather event that led to the loss of more than a hundred lives. 

Not everything is so drastic however. Take the present winter for example - falling temperatures are breaking records almost on a daily basis. Unusually heavy fog was noticed in Chennai on 04 Jan 2014, disrupting flight schedules. Northern India is also suffering from record cold winter temperatures,Weather Underground reported. In Uttar Pradesh, home to New Delhi, 175 people have died from the cold. The high on Jan. 2 was just 49.6 F (9.8 C), the coldest daily maximum in 44 years.

However, winter also brings with it another problem. In order to keep warm, poor and homeless people burn whatever they can find. In the city's surroundings, even tyres, plastics and tubes are burnt and these release cancer-causing chemicals like dioxin. Burning dry leaves mainly releases PM10 ( coarse pollution particles) and carbon monoxide, but burning tyres releases dioxin, black carbon and PM 2.5 (fine pollution particles which get stuck in our lungs) which adds to the pollution burden in our cities. 27 of our states are in high risk disaster zones (see map).

Global warming has led to increase in the frequency & intensity of such climatic events which cause tremendous problems. Recent studies have indicated that in 2007-2008 our country stood 3rd highest in the world as affected by such climatic disasters. 18 such events occurred in one single year resulting in heavy loss to human lives, unprecedented damage to farm products, infrastructure etc. Such climatic events are floods, storms, hurricanes, hailstorms , droughts etc. If timely actions at the National / State level are not planned & implemented , this may result in a 40% drop in major farm produce which in turn will lead to starvation and social problems. It can also reduce our GDP by almost 9 %. 

I’ve compiled a small list of some of the many extreme events that have affected out country in the last few decades:

FLOODS:

BIHAR - This state has been facing regular floods almost regularly, with extreme flooding in 1987 & 2008 leading to the loss of thousands of lives and causing crores of damage.

GUJRAT – In 2005, from 30 Jun to 11 Jul most of the state was inundated by floods that affected large parts of India and Pakistan.

MAHARASHTRA - In July 2005 very heavy rains wrecked havoc in places like Mumbai, Chiplun, Kalyan, Ratnagiri. 26 July 2005 is remembered as a black day in the history of Mumbai when more than 500 mm of rain fell in less than 24 hours. The disaster it caused was compounded by the reckless development and decades of corrupt politicians who ensured that the Mithi River was sold to unscrupulous property developers, instead of preserving as a river and a flood drainage system.

SOUTH INDIAN FLOODS – In 2007 almost all the states in southern India were hit hard by floods , due to very heavy rains lasting 15 days. These were the worst floods in living memory.

2009 FLOODS- Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Gujrat & some of the NE Indian states damaged millions of hectares of agriculture produce, besides leading to a loss of hundreds of human lives.

LADAKH – on 6 Aug 2010 this area was devastated by the torrential rains followed by heavy mud slides causing the area to get cut off for a long period of time.

2011 Floods - West Bengal, Assam, & Bihar were affected by exceptionally heavy floods.

2012 Floods- Uttarakhand was devastated by floods. The whole world took notice of this tragic event. The neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh was also badly affected by the floods

2014 Floods - J & K experienced wrath of the nature this time around. Even Assam, on the other side of the country, was badly affected by the floods.

DROUGHTS- 68 % of India’s total Agriculture land is draught prone. This is due to the fact that majority of our farming sector still depends on rains for farm produce. In the last few years, our rainfall has become very unpredictable in its schedule. Maharashtra , Marathvada & the Vidharba region have been faced with a deficit monsoonal rain for last few years. Not only has this affected farm produce, but this has led to hundreds of farmers committing suicide. Currently, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Orissa, Bihar & AP are facing severe drought. Punjab & Haryana have joined the drought list for the first time this year.

REASONS - Scientists across the globe are increasingly agreeing that climate change is mainly ‘anthropogenic’, or caused due to human actions. Unchecked population growth, rapid deforestation especially in developing nations, Industrialisation, use of Fossil fuels are but a few main reasons of rise in greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, resulting in our current climate chaos. This has caused global unpredictability in climate. Unless timely actions are taken to correct the situation we will be heading towards total disaster world over. 

 WHAT CAN YOU DO – We can all make a difference. Wherever possible, do the right thing. Recycle, use energy efficient appliance, harvest rainwater, use public transport where possible – or car pool with other people. If you know any elected members of parliament, make sure you make them aware of your concern for the environment.