Hyderabad’s Call for Better Monsoon Forecasts
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath emphasised the need for precise monsoon forecasts to tackle Hyderabad’s urban flooding issues.
- Rising temperatures and irregular rainfall patterns are disrupting Telangana’s seasonal weather, according to IMD scientists.
- From disaster management to agriculture, IMD’s forecasts are crucial for mitigating risks and planning responses.
Hyderabad: Precise and actionable monsoon forecasts are essential for addressing urban flooding and other weather-related challenges in Hyderabad, said HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath, as per a TOI report. Speaking at the 150th-anniversary celebrations of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday, he talked about the need for better weather predictions to aid disaster response in the city.
“While the India Meteorological Department has made significant strides in forecasting tropical cyclones, there remains a critical need for better predictions of low-intensity disasters like urban flooding, cloudbursts, and localised rainfall. Current weather updates are inadequate for timely disaster response,” Ranganath stated.
Hyderabad’s Unique Challenges
Highlighting the specific issues in Hyderabad, Ranganath explained that general weather advisories like “heavy to very heavy rainfall” often fail to address urban complexities. “Our roads get flooded with just 2 to 3 cm of rainfall. Since most rainfall occurs in the late afternoon and evening, it exacerbates traffic congestion, worsening the problem,” he said.
The city’s 140 waterlogging points were identified as a persistent concern. Ranganath called for improved monitoring systems and additional radar stations, which he said would enable both disaster response teams and residents to plan better.
Global Warming’s Role in Changing Rainfall Patterns
IMD scientists at the event shed light on the broader impact of global warming on rainfall trends. Senior scientist K Nagaratna explained, “Telangana receives 80% of its rainfall during the southwest monsoon, but there are significant variations within the season. Rising temperatures, fewer cold wave days, and irregular precipitation patterns have been observed.”
She added that global warming has disrupted natural seasonal flows, creating unprecedented challenges for forecasting and managing weather events.
The event also marked the release of the ‘Statement of Climate for Telangana 2023,’ which outlined rainfall trends and weather patterns in the state over the past year.
IMD’s Contributions Across Key Sectors
The IMD’s weather forecasts play a vital role across various sectors, enabling authorities to mitigate risks and prepare effectively.
- Disaster Management: Guides emergency services during floods and cyclones.
Hyderabad continues to face challenges from erratic weather patterns, but improved forecasting and actionable data could be the key to a more resilient future.
