Western Disturbances and Climate Change
Context: Heavy rainfall and strong winds due to a fresh Western Disturbance caused waterlogging and flight disruptions in Delhi-NCR on May 2, as per IMD.
Important Pointers:
Western Disturbances (WDs)
► Origin: Extratropical storms originating in the Mediterranean region. ► Movement: Travel eastward, brought by westerly jet streams, affecting North and Northwest India. ► Impact Areas: Primarily affect Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, and western UP. ► Seasonality: Most frequent during winter (Dec–Feb); causes winter rain/snowfall in north India. ► Importance: Essential for Rabi crop irrigation, especially wheat.
Western Disturbances and Climate Change
► Increased Intensity: Climate models suggest WDs are becoming more intense due to warming in the Arctic and Eurasian regions. ► Erratic Patterns: WDs are showing increased variability and frequency shifts, leading to unseasonal rain and hailstorms. ► Impact on Agriculture: Unpredictable WDs have led to crop damage in the Rabi season, especially wheat and mustard. ► Western Himalayas: Higher WDs contribute to glacial changes and increased avalanche risk due to heavier snowfall.