India’s monsoon season has officially concluded, bringing an end to the four-month period of heavy rainfall that typically defines the season. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that the country experienced 8% above-average rainfall between June and September.
However, while the overall monsoon season yielded more rain than usual, the eastern and northeastern regions of the country saw a 14% deficit in rainfall. This disparity in rainfall distribution has unfortunately led to severe flooding and landslides in these areas earlier in the season.
The retreat of the monsoon, typically starting around September 17th and concluding by October 15th, has been delayed this year. This delay is attributed to a low-pressure system that has lingered over northwest India, stalling the monsoon’s withdrawal.
As a result of this delay, the monsoon is expected to remain active in eastern and northeastern states for another two weeks. This prolonged presence could exacerbate the already severe flood conditions in these regions.
Meteorologists predict that the monsoon will finally fully withdraw from these areas by October 10th.
This year’s monsoon has been marked by several unusual occurrences, including the formation of four depressions, which is significantly higher than the average of two. Experts are linking these anomalies to climate change.
Meanwhile, the excessive rainfall across India has triggered devastating floods in Bihar and parts of Nepal. The breaching of six barrages has caused rivers like the Kosi, Gandak, and Bagmati to overflow, inundating agricultural land and disrupting the kharif crop harvest.
In Nepal, the floods and landslides have claimed at least 170 lives in Kathmandu, with heavy rains expected to continue. The Indian government has mobilized 12 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams to assist with relief efforts in Bihar.
The delayed monsoon withdrawal and the ongoing floods highlight the significant challenges posed by climate change. As the world continues to grapple with its impacts, it becomes increasingly important to prepare for and mitigate the consequences of extreme weather events.
