Jairam Ramesh Calls For Reviving Climate Change Network Amidst 'Variable Monsoon Behaviour’

In a compelling call for urgent action, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has stressed the need to revitalise Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA) as the country’s monsoon behaviour becomes increasingly erratic. The former Environment and Forests Minister highlighted the alarming rise in extreme weather events due to global warming and emphasised the importance of renewed investments in climate research.

“The current phase of the monsoon across most of the country reinforces what has been evident for a few years. The frequency of extreme events has only increased with global warming,” Ramesh said, pointing out that while the long-term average of rainfall may not have shifted significantly, the intensity has dramatically changed.

According to Ramesh, monsoon patterns have become far more unpredictable over the past three decades, with both extreme wet and dry days on the rise. He noted that the compressed nature of rainfall, with fewer days but greater force, poses challenges to agriculture, water management, and infrastructure planning. He called for greater investments in understanding monsoon dynamics, underlining that “this has to be a global and public-private enterprise in which India has to take the lead.”

The Congress leader further criticised the current approach to dealing with climate change, stating that “grandiose pronouncements are no substitute for investing massively in institutions.” He called for the revival of the Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA), established in 2009 with the objective to “Model, Measure and Monitor” climate change, which has since fallen into neglect. “That needs to be revived,” he insisted.

The 2024 monsoon season has proven to be one of the wettest on record, with rainfall levels ranking 22nd highest since 1901. While the onset of the monsoon arrived on time on May 30, its evolution has been marked by unexpected patterns. Large areas of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and northwestern India have experienced dry conditions, while an unusual excess of rain persists in other regions.

The current phase of the monsoon across most of the country reinforces what has been evident for a few years.

1. The frequency of extreme events has only increased with global warming.

2. While the long period average of rainfall may not have changed significantly, the… pic.twitter.com/LyP1tkbt9j

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 29, 2024

Ramesh warned that the unpredictable behaviour of the monsoon has far-reaching consequences, particularly for agriculture, as many of India’s rice-producing regions are experiencing long-term drying. This poses significant risks to farmers’ livelihoods, especially in areas where economic distress could become more severe in the future.