Will it rain heavily in August? Is there a possibility of flood? Meteorological center chief speaks

What will the next phase of the monsoon be like? What is the nature of the changing climate? Kerala Meteorological Center Chief Neeta K. Gopal talks to Kerala Kaumudi.

Has the nature of rain changed at all?

Yes. It is not raining like it used to. In the past, it rained continuously, but now it rains more in a short period of time. The nature and intensity of rain has also changed.

Will it rain heavily in August?

It is not possible to say whether it will be heavy rain. In the current observation, there will be more than normal rainfall. The La Nina phenomenon starts in August. This is a phenomenon that helps to get more rain.

Is there a possibility of flood this time?

There will be heavy rains in August. If there are low pressures etc., the intensity of rain may increase. It is not possible to say now that there is a possibility of flooding. Before Cyclone Ockhi and the floods, we were not prepared to deal with it. But by having that experience, we are equipped to deal with it.

Cloudburst is a buzzword in recent years, isn't it a weather phenomenon?

Cloudburst is not a weather phenomenon. Heavy rains, light rains and heavy rains are divided into categories. It feels like a cloud bursting and falling when it rains so hard. A cloudburst can be considered if 10 cm of rain falls in an hour. Landslides can occur due to this. It is more common on hillsides. Since we have the Western Ghats, there may have been rain like this in the past. But it was not recorded due to the lack of monitoring systems at that time.

Is it too hot in summer?

This is the first time that heat wave has been confirmed for more days in the state. Extreme heat may also be felt in the coming summer. The cause is global warming and the increase in greenhouse gases.

Is climate change happening in a big way?

Climate change is ever-present. But disasters have increased as extreme weather conditions become more frequent. As rainfall increases in intensity and extreme heat is experienced, the human impact also increases. Even though countries of the world including India have modern systems, there are limitations to accurate weather forecasting.