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Hydro-climatic Extremes

Description: Explore the world of hydro-climatic extremes, extreme weather events closely linked to the Earth's hydrological cycle, affecting water resources. Discover the latest findings from a recent report on hydro-climatic extremes in India, highlighting the increasing risks and their potential consequences

Hydro-climatic extremes are extreme weather events or conditions that are closely related to the Earth's hydrological cycle, which includes processes like precipitation, evaporation, runoff, and groundwater recharge. These extremes are characterized by their impact on the availability and distribution of water resources. Some common examples of hydro-climatic extremes include:

1. Droughts: Droughts are prolonged periods of abnormally low precipitation, leading to water shortages in a region. They can have significant impacts on agriculture, water supplies, and ecosystems.

2. Floods: Floods occur when there is an excessive amount of rainfall, snowmelt, or other factors that lead to the overflowing of rivers, lakes, or other water bodies. Flooding can result in property damage, displacement of people, and loss of life.

3. Heavy Rainfall Events: Intense and prolonged rainfall can cause flash floods and landslides. These events can lead to rapid water accumulation, erosion, and damage to infrastructure.

4. Snowstorms and Blizzards: In colder climates, heavy snowfall, along with strong winds, can disrupt transportation, damage infrastructure, and pose risks to human safety.

5. Heatwaves: Extended periods of extremely high temperatures can lead to increased evaporation, water demand, and heat-related health issues. They can exacerbate drought conditions.

6. Wildfires: Prolonged periods of hot and dry weather can increase the risk of wildfires. These events can have significant environmental and social consequences.

7. Storm Surges: Tropical cyclones and other intense storms can cause storm surges, which lead to coastal flooding and can have severe impacts on coastal communities.

8. Landslides: Heavy rainfall or snowmelt can saturate the soil, making it more prone to landslides, which can damage infrastructure and pose risks to human safety.

9. Ice Storms: Ice storms occur when freezing rain coats surfaces with ice, leading to power outages, transportation disruptions, and damage to trees and structures.

10. Glacial Outbursts: Rapid melting of glaciers due to temperature increases can lead to the sudden release of large volumes of water, potentially causing floods downstream.

These hydro-climatic extremes can have significant and far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, communities, and economies. Climate change can exacerbate the frequency and intensity of many of these events, making it important to understand and adapt to these changing conditions. Various scientific and engineering approaches are used to monitor and mitigate the impacts of hydro-climatic extremes, such as flood control measures, water management strategies, and early warning systems.

Recent Report on hydro-climatic extremes in India by BHU

Hydro-climatic extremes, such as very intense precipitation and drought, are expected to increase with global warming, with their cumulative effects potentially posing severe impacts on different socio-economic sectors, such as agriculture, water resources, health, ecosystem services, urban infrastructure, etc.

The Study found that the frequency of extreme rainfall is expected to increase over the Western Ghats and Northeast river basins, while an increase in heavy rainfall intensity (14.3%) is projected over the upper Ganga and Indus basin. Also, approximately 4%–10% of the heavy rainfall is projected to increase over the western part of Indian River basins during the near (2021–2040) and mid (2041–2060) future. Due to the intensification of extreme rainfall, Western Ghats, Indus, West, and Central Indian River basins will be highly vulnerable. Major cities like Mumbai and Pune, situated in the west-flowing river basins, would be at a high risk of urban flooding due to the increasing future precipitation extremes.

The lower Ganga river basin is found to experience a decrease in monthly mean precipitation of approximately 7 to 11 mm/day in the near future. India’s Eastern Ghats river basins were found to have decreased approximately 20% in daily precipitation, however, in the far future, it is projected to increase approximately 15%.

The results show that changes in the frequency of heavy rainfall are expected to be more over the IRBs. In addition, the research also identifies the major hotspots of highly populated cities that come under different river basins for urban flooding, which could help policymakers in designing appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies.

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