The excess of anything can be painful, and it is rightly said. From emotion to food to the weather change, anything in excess can be damaging and irritating( in reference to extreme weather). I remember how in scorching summers I wish for winters, and in winters I pray for summers with a cola ice cream. But after years of complaining and whining, I settled for Autumns and Springs. I like these seasons now.
I truly understand the importance of each season on a larger scale. This is definitely a privilege to ask for just one kind of season all year long. As far as rainy reason is concerned I am just happy with the clouds and windy weather before the actual rain . I don’t eat pakoras or samosa, and I can enjoy my green tea in that windy, cloudy weather. Honestly, I enjoyed last night’s cool breeze very much. But since then it’s been raining cats and dogs in Lucknow. After nearly causing havoc in Odisha, Delhi, Bihar and many states, Indra Dev finally reached my city.
The Consistent Downpour: The Consistency I Need in life
Last night was pretty chill. I was enjoying Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan ‘Halka Halka Suroor’ while I was walking on the terrace. I knew it was going to rain. Honestly, seeing the scenario in other states I knew it might rain continuously causing waterlogging— and it happened. As everyone is out in the colony commenting “aise toh bade saalon baad ho raha hai.” “Itna pani kabhi bhara hi nahi.” “Itni garmi thi laga hi nahi that itni baarish hogi.” Listening to all these commentaries, I couldn’t stop but ponder upon Climate Change. How either we complain or enjoy but we never try to resolve or set our mind upon the larger problem.
Climate Change: The Real Issue
According to the India Meteorological Department’s rainfall data, some 48 % of India’s total geographical area received ‘large excess’ rainfall on September 14, 2022. The country, as a whole, received 129 per cent ‘over normal’ rainfall. Read the last sentence again. It’s 129 per cent over normal rainfall. We, in our sense, shouldn’t corner the larger problem here because in no way we are capable of deterring the grave consequence of climate change.
According to experts, due to climate change, wettest days are becoming wetter and hottest days are becoming hotter in Odisha. This led to extreme weather conditions this year in Odisha — from heat waves to drought and flood-like conditions, according to the Down to Earth.
The problem is more worrisome given the ongoing pandemic.
According to a 2020 World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) report, WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas recently stated that rising temperatures can have far-reaching consequences, including an impact on food security, health, the environment and sustainable development. “Increasing temperatures mean more melting ice, higher sea levels, more heatwaves and other extreme weather,” Taalas was quoted as saying in a report.”
India and Climate Change: A Brief lookback
“Over 75 per cent of Indian districts, home to over 638 million people, are hotspots of extreme climate events such as cyclones, floods, droughts, heat, and cold waves,” according to a Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) 2020 report.
The recent decades have seen a rise in the frequency, intensity, and unpredictability of these extreme events. While India witnessed 250 extreme climate events between 1970 and 2005, it recorded 310 extreme weather events post 2005 alone. Surprisingly, there is a shift in the pattern of extreme climate events. The flood-prone areas become drought-prone and vice-versa in over 40 percent of Indian districts.
What do we take away from this?
So whenever you complain about the extreme weather, introspect your routine as well as your lifestyle. This will help you conclude whether or not you are contributing to the larger problem which is currently cornered. It is mandatory to acknowledge that the consequences of climate change are on a rising trend and soon the brunt of it will be graver. Be aware.
