Answer:

Introduction

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, mainly caused by human activities, especially carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning. Example- Earth’s temperature has risen by an average of 0.14° Fahrenheit (0.08° Celsius) per decade since 1880. 

Monsoon is a seasonal change in wind direction, often associated with heavy rains, commonly experienced in South and Southeast Asia.

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Complex consequences of climate change on monsoon can be seen in the following ways

Intensified Future Monsoon Rain

• Rising Ocean Temperatures: Climate change-induced warming of oceans leads to higher evaporation rates. The Indian Ocean, for example, has been warming significantly, contributing to more intense monsoons in India. Example- India is projected to experience a 20% increase in extreme rainfall events.
• Increased Atmospheric Moisture: As global temperatures rise, the air can hold more moisture. This is leading to increased precipitation during monsoons, resulting in more intense flooding events, such as the ones witnessed in Mumbai and Kerala in recent years.
• Altered Jet Streams: Jet streams influence the monsoon behaviour. Warming in the Arctic, linked to climate change, is associated with changes in jet stream patterns, which can lead to more intense monsoon rains in India.
• Melting Glaciers and Snowpack: In areas like the Himalayas, climate change-induced melting can increase the moisture feeding into monsoon systems, apart from feeding more water in Himalayan rivers that can be disasterous. Example- 2021 Chamoli disaster.
  
• Enhanced Convection: Rising temperatures intensify convection, leading to variable rainfall distribution. This can cause excessive rain in certain regions, like the recent heavy monsoons in Assam, while leaving other areas dry.

Amplified Variability in rainfall distribution during the monsoon period

• Changing Wind Patterns: Climate change can shift wind patterns, affecting the monsoon dynamics. For instance, India’s monsoon has shown more variability and unpredictability due to these shifts caused by climate change. Example- Increased frequency of El nino events. Between 1900 and 1950, there were 7 El Niño years but during the 1951-2021 period, there were 15 El Niño years.
• Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies: Irregular warming or cooling of sea surfaces, exacerbated by climate change, impacts monsoon patterns. Phenomena like El Niño, La nina, intensified by climate change, have been associated with irregular monsoon rainfall in different parts of India.
• Altered Landscape and Vegetation: Changes in land use and vegetation due to climate change can affect local weather and rainfall distribution. For example, rampant deforestation in the Western Ghats has been linked to changes in monsoon patterns in the region. Example- In Western Ghats, the dense forest was reduced by 19.5% and open forest decreased by 33.2%.
• Increased Extreme Weather Events: Climate change increases the occurrence of extreme weather events. These can disrupt regular weather patterns, causing uneven rainfall distribution during monsoons, as seen in the floods in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
• Anthropogenic Emissions: Greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions can influence precipitation. These may enhance or suppress rainfall in different areas of India, contributing to uneven distribution of monsoon rains. Example- Today, the world collectively emit around 50 billion tonnes of CO2 each year. This is more than 40% higher than emissions in 1990

Changes in monsoon patterns due to climate change have far-reaching impacts on Hydrological Impacts

• Water Availability: Changes in monsoon patterns affect the amount and timing of water availability. For instance, uneven monsoon rains in the Western Ghats have led to periods of water scarcity, affecting both domestic use and agriculture. Example- the average annual per capita water availability for year 2021 has decreased to 1367 cubic meter from 1486 cubic meter in 2013.
• Groundwater Recharge: Groundwater recharge largely depends on monsoon rains. With unpredictable monsoons, regions such as Rajasthan and Gujarat face challenges in groundwater replenishment, leading to water crises. Example- 63% of India’s districts are threatened by falling groundwater levels.
• River Flow Patterns: Monsoons feed India’s major rivers like the Ganges and Brahmaputra. Changes in monsoon intensity can affect river flow, impacting regions dependent on these rivers for agriculture and other uses.
• Flooding: Increased intensity and uneven distribution of monsoon rains can lead to severe flooding, as seen in the catastrophic floods in Kerala in 2018 and Assam in 2020.
• Soil Erosion: Heavy monsoon rains can lead to increased soil erosion, negatively impacting land fertility and leading to land degradation, as is often seen in the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Socio-economic Impacts

• Agriculture: Indian agriculture is monsoon-dependent. Variability in monsoon patterns can lead to crop failures or reduced yield, affecting farmers’ income. Example- 2004 drought year was an El- Nino year.
• Livelihoods: Fishing communities along India’s coast depend on monsoons for their catch. Changes in monsoon patterns have led to uncertain fish harvests, impacting livelihoods.
  
• Health: Erratic monsoons can create conditions conducive to the spread of waterborne diseases. For example, outbreaks of dengue and malaria often follow periods of heavy rainfall in cities like Delhi and Kolkata.
• Infrastructure: Extreme rainfall events can lead to infrastructure damage, causing economic loss. The 2015 Chennai floods, caused by excessive monsoon rains, led to massive infrastructure and property damage.
• Migration: Changes in monsoon patterns and subsequent impacts can lead to migration. For instance, recurrent droughts in Bundelkhand region have forced many families to migrate to cities for livelihoods.

Suitable way ahead in this regard

• Climate-Smart Agriculture: Implementation of farming practices resilient to climate variability, such as drought-resistant crop varieties is needed. The cultivation of drought- resistant millets in arid regions of Rajasthan serves as a model that can be replicated.
• Water Management: Integrated water resource management can play a crucial role in water conservation. The water harvesting structures in Alwar, Rajasthan, developed by Tarun Bharat Sangh, are a good model for sustainable water management.
• Afforestation: Afforestation can reduce soil erosion and enhance rainfall. The afforestation project in Sikkim exemplifies a successful approach that has had significant positive impacts on local weather patterns and soil conservation.
• Infrastructure Development: Creating robust infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events is essential. The improved drainage system in Surat following the 2006 floods serves as a model of how urban infrastructure can be made resilient to climate impacts.
• Health Preparedness: Reinforcing healthcare systems to manage potential disease outbreaks following irregular monsoons is necessary. India’s increased surveillance and control of vector-borne diseases like malaria in post-monsoon periods exemplify a proactive approach.
• Alternative Livelihoods: Providing alternative livelihoods can offset the impacts on monsoon- dependent occupations. Skill development programs in coastal Andhra Pradesh are an example of efforts to help fishing communities diversify their income sources.
• Community Participation: Engaging communities in climate action is vital. The community- led water management initiative in Ralegan Siddhi, Maharashtra, is a noteworthy example of the success of such efforts.
• International Cooperation: India can seek technological and financial support through international cooperation on climate change. The International Solar Alliance (ISA), initiated by India and France, is an example of such successful cooperation.
• Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about climate change and its impacts can foster climate-resilient behaviors. Programs like the climate education initiative in Kerala’s schools serve as a good model for climate education.

Conclusion

Despite the significant challenges posed by climate change on India’s monsoon patterns, with coordinated efforts and innovative strategies, India can mitigate the impacts and adapt effectively. By leveraging technology, community involvement, and policy interventions, a resilient and sustainable future is indeed achievable.

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