El Niño to Intensify, Threatening India with Drought and Heatwaves
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Climate change & international agreements· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that intensifying El Niño conditions are likely to trigger extreme weather events, including droughts and heatwaves, impacting India's monsoon patterns.
Background
The WMO reported that India experienced its 5th driest June in 126 years. The current El Niño cycle is projected to intensify into a strong event between July and September, potentially delaying monsoon onset in regions like New Delhi.
Facts for Prelims
- S&TEl Niño: A climate pattern characterized by the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
- FactIndia recorded its 5th driest June in a 126-year period as of 2024.
- BodyWorld Meteorological Organization (WMO): A specialized agency of the United Nationsfocused on meteorology, climatology, and hydrology.
For Mains
Q. Analyze how the intensification of El Niño impacts India's agricultural stability and suggest measures to mitigate the risks of extreme weather events on food security.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Hydrological stress: Reduced monsoon reliability leading to groundwater depletion and crop failure in rain-fed agricultural zones.
- Economic vulnerability: High sensitivity of the rural economy to erratic rainfall patterns and heat-induced yield losses.
- Climate adaptation: Need for heat-resistant crop varieties and advanced early-warning systems for localized drought management.
Keywords: Climate Variability · Monsoon Dynamics · Agricultural Resilience · Extreme Weather Events · Climate Adaptation
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.