New Delhi: The summer temperature in many parts of the country is steadily increasing, and now, the Indian Meteorological Department has given a hint of ‘El
Niño’, which has created further anxiety among the people. Experts have warned that this climate change, caused by rising temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, will have a serious impact on India’s monsoon.
How can El Niño affect India?
El Niño is a phenomenon in which the surface temperature of the Pacific Ocean becomes higher than normal, which reduces the moisture in the atmosphere and changes the direction of the winds. It will have a direct impact on the southwest monsoon, and the amount of rainfall is likely to decrease significantly. If rainfall decreases, temperatures could rise further, creating a difficult drought-like situation. Overall, the predicted entry of El Niño has added a layer of fear amid the scorching summer.
Reduced monsoon to hit food production
The food production in India will be hit if the monsoon rains fail. It will not only threaten food security but will also lead to a rise in the prices of daily necessities in the market. The Maharashtra government has already discussed precautionary measures over the issue. In Odisha, due to intense summer temperatures, schools have been declared closed in nine districts, while in Uttar Pradesh, school timings have been changed and classes have been instructed to be held only from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. Similar measures have been taken in Jharkhand and Maharashtra in view of the health of children.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Weather Department has said that the state would experience thunderstorms with gusty winds over the coastal regions on April 22. Also, there can be thunderstorm coupled with gusty winds with speeds of 30-40 kmph at isolated places over Karnataka’s interior places from April 21 to April 25, with thunderstorms and lightning may occur at coastal parts of the state from April 23 to April 25.
