India’s increase in extreme weather events in recent years can be attributed to several interrelated factors:

Climate Change: Rising global temperatures have intensified the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall during monsoon seasons, resulting in floods and landslides. Additionally, higher temperatures contribute to more intense heatwaves and prolonged droughts.

Urbanization: Rapid and unplanned urbanization has exacerbated the impact of extreme weather. Urban areas with inadequate drainage systems experience severe flooding. The replacement of natural landscapes with impervious surfaces increases runoff and decreases natural water absorption, heightening flood risks.

Deforestation and Land Use Changes: Large-scale deforestation for agriculture, urban development, and infrastructure projects disrupts natural ecosystems. This leads to soil erosion, reduced water retention, and increased vulnerability to landslides and floods.

Industrialization and Pollution: Industrial activities contribute to air pollution, which can affect local weather patterns. For instance, pollutants can alter cloud formation and precipitation patterns, potentially leading to irregular rainfall and extreme weather events.

Global Weather Patterns: Phenomena like El Niño and La Niña significantly influence weather patterns in India. El Niño typically results in reduced monsoon rainfall, while La Niña can cause excessive rainfall and flooding.

These factors, often interacting, drive the increasing incidence of extreme weather events across India.