The ‘Flying Rivers’ Causing Devastating Floods in India
Context:
Heavy rains and floods have recently impacted various parts of India, resulting in loss of life and displacing thousands of others.
More on News:
- While floods are a recurrent issue in South Asia during the monsoon season, climate change has intensified their impact.
- Scientists now point to a specific phenomenon known as “atmospheric rivers” or “flying rivers” as a contributing factor.
- Atmospheric rivers are relatively under-studied in South Asia compared to other weather systems.
Key Highlights:
- A 2023 Study revealed that between 1951 and 2020, 574 atmospheric rivers occurred during the Indian monsoon season. Nearly 80% of the most severe AR caused floods in India over the last two decades.
- The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the University of California found that seven out of India’s ten most severe monsoon floods between 1985 and 2020 were associated with atmospheric rivers.
- Evaporation from the Indian Ocean has significantly increased, leading to more frequent extreme weather events.
Atmospheric Rivers (AR):
Global Context:
- Global studies show a 20% increase in atmospheric water vapour since the 1960s. ARs are linked to up to 56% of extreme precipitation in South Asia.
- Regional Impact: In Southeast Asia and East Asia, ARs contribute significantly to heavy rainfall events, with up to 80% of such events in eastern China, Korea, and western Japan associated with these systems.
Recent Global Flooding Events:
- In April 2023 Catastrophic flooding in Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, and Jordan due to high moisture levels in the atmosphere.
- Two months later, Chile experienced 500 mm of rain in three days, leading to floods and infrastructure damage.
- A year earlier, parts of Australia faced severe flooding caused by a” rain bomb,” which resulted in fatalities and evacuations.
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