Extreme Weather in India: This monsoon has unleashed fury across India, leaving destruction from hills to heartlands. Uttarakhand’s Dharali flash flood killed at least four and left more than 50 missing. Mumbai recorded over 140 mm of rainfall in just hours, halting trains and flights.
Uttar Pradesh displaced more than 11,000 people, forcing 905 relief camps open. As Bihar floods and Rajasthan dries, the pattern raises one chilling question: Is extreme weather in India fast becoming the new normal?
Unpredictable Rains Raise Urgent New Concerns
Storms now strike before we even suspect them. One instant, the sky is calm; the next, roads overflow and homes flood. Mumbai University postponed exams as trains were delayed and flights were diverted. Farmers watched helplessly as fields vanished under relentless water, a stark sign of nature’s relentless, new rhythm.
Recent Weather Extremes Across Indian States
A deadly wave of extreme weather is sweeping across India, each incident more intense than the last.
- Uttarakhand & Himachal: Cloudbursts Triggering Chaos
A flash flood in Dharali, Uttarkashi, on August 5 left at least four people dead and over fifty missing. Rescue teams saved about 190 people, while efforts continue.
- Mumbai: Record Rainfall Drowns Financial Hub
More than 140 mm of rain fell in a single morning, prompting a red alert. Mumbai shut schools and offices, suspended 17 local trains, and saw two deaths citywide amid widespread flooding.
- Uttar Pradesh: Torrential Rains Flood Towns, Fields
Torrential downpours displaced over 11,200 people and activated 905 relief shelters. Authorities distributed thousands of relief and medical kits to manage the crisis.
- Other States: Floods in Bihar, Droughts in Rajasthan
Bihar grapples with mounting flood disasters as nearly 130 deaths struck Himachal, while widespread flooding and displacement hit multiple eastern states. In Rajasthan, flood-induced evacuations exceeded 4,500 people.
Why Is Extreme Weather In India Becoming Normalised?
Rising temperatures let the air hold more moisture and feed heavier downpours. Climate change impact in India twists monsoon patterns, turning familiar rains into sudden deluges. More areas now face heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand and erratic rains across states every season.
Expert Insights Reveal Climate Change Risks
Scientists link global warming to more storms. Studies show a 22% rise in rainfall intensity and cloudbursts. Urban zones face amplified effects. These warnings highlight how climate change impact in India is turning outlier storms into everyday threats across Indian states hit by heavy rains.
Rising Human and Economic Costs Nationwide
In Uttarakhand this year, 61 lives were lost and 84 people are still missing amid extreme weather, marking a 30 % rise in disaster toll compared to prior years. Across India, floods alone cost an average of ₹ 25,805 crore every year.
Extreme weather in India is now constant, striking hills and cities alike. Each storm leaves scars on lives and economies. With swift adaptation and resilient planning, the nation can turn these crises into opportunities for survival and strength.
