India Hit by Unprecedented Cloudbursts: Climate Change Effects Accelerate

India has recently witnessed a series of extreme rainfall events, commonly referred to as cloudbursts or cloudburst-like phenomena, predominantly in its plains during August and September. These events are characterized by exceptionally high rainfall amounts in very short periods, a pattern usually confined to hilly terrains.

For instance, Chennai experienced multiple cloudbursts on August 30, with rainfall exceeding 100 mm per hour in several localities. Similarly, Kamareddy in Telangana endured 576 mm of rain in 48 hours, its heaviest downpour in 35 years, with a significant portion falling within a few hours. Nanded in Maharashtra and Kolkata also recorded extreme rainfall on August 17-18 and September 22-23 respectively, with Kolkata seeing its highest September rainfall in 39 years.

Meteorologists define a cloudburst as rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters (mm) in an hour over an area of 20 to 30 square kilometers. Experts like Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay from IISER, Berhampur, highlight that these events in plain regions are unprecedented and not typically predicted by current climate models, which are often too coarse to forecast such localized, intense events.

The scientific community points to accelerating climate change as a likely driver. Every 1 degree Celsius rise in global temperature is estimated to increase atmospheric water vapor by 7 percent, potentially fueling such intense rainfall. The article references the "Global Tipping Points 2025" report, which suggests Earth may have already reached its first catastrophic climate "tipping point" with coral reef die-offs. These disruptions, once projected for decades later, are now unfolding rapidly across the globe.

Impact:

This news has a moderate to high impact on the Indian stock market and economy. Extreme weather events can severely affect agricultural output, leading to crop damage and price volatility. Infrastructure, including roads, buildings, and power systems, faces significant damage, increasing repair costs and delaying projects. The insurance sector can expect a surge in claims. Consumer demand patterns may shift due to disruptions. Overall, these events highlight systemic risks related to climate change that investors and businesses must consider for long-term planning and risk management.

Rating: 7/10

Difficult Terms:

• Cloudburst: A meteorological phenomenon defined as rainfall exceeding 100 mm in an hour over an area of 20 to 30 sq km. These are typically associated with hilly or mountainous regions but have recently been observed in plain areas.
• Climate Change: Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily driven by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, which increases greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
• Climate Models: Computer simulations used by scientists to understand, forecast, and project future climate patterns and scenarios based on various factors and emissions.
• Convection: The process of heat transfer in fluids (like air or water) where warmer, less dense material rises and cooler, denser material sinks, creating currents. In meteorology, atmospheric convection is crucial for thunderstorm and rainfall development.
• Orographic Lift: A meteorological phenomenon where moist air is forced upward as it encounters a physical barrier like a mountain range. This uplift cools the air, causing condensation and precipitation, often leading to heavier rainfall on the windward side of the mountains.
• Climate Tipping Point: A critical threshold in the Earth's climate system. Once crossed, it can trigger abrupt, irreversible, and potentially catastrophic changes in ecosystems and climate patterns, even if greenhouse gas emissions are later reduced.