Mongabay series: Flood and drought
Flood is an overflow of water, while a drought is a prolonged shortage of water. India witnesses both and sometimes, at the same time. Unusual rainfall patterns are becoming commonplace now and trigger disasters such as floods and droughts which are related to the timing of the rainfall, rather than the quantum of rainfall. From long dry spells to excessive rainfall, recent monsoons in India have been seasons of extremes. The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) AR6 predicts that south Asia, including India, will see more extreme weather events in the years to come. The Indian subcontinent could witness more heat extremes and droughts, as well as extreme rainfall events, it says. When weather patterns deviate from the norm, farmers, whose livelihoods are tied to predictable weather patterns, are among the many who bear the brunt. This in turn has ramifications for India’s food and water security. In this series, we will look at the trends of floods and droughts in India and the climate crisis that is exacerbating them.
How the Sikkim flood drowned farming and fishing opportunities in northern West Bengal
[Explainer] What are ecological droughts?
[Commentary] Take a deep breath and rethink infrastructure development in the Himalayas
Low, middle income countries have deficits in infrastructure, but high risk of destruction from disasters
No early warning system and insufficient dam safety turned Sikkim flood deadly
[Commentary] Disaster resilience in the built environment
Using social media images to better respond to disasters
Flooding caused the greatest economic damages in Asia in 2022, says WMO report
Behind Delhi’s floods is a history of encroachment and diminishing wetlands
[Explainer] What are floodplains and how have they been managed in India?
How an equitable model of irrigation is changing this drought-prone Maharashtra region
New approach of Indian monsoon estimation to account for rainfall variations
As Bengaluru loses lakes, green cover, impact of urban floods takes a toll
Reconstructing 90-year-long rainfall history in northeast India using tea garden records
[Explainer] Why do floods occur?
A hope for climate-focused urban planning in Assam’s cities reeling from severe floods
Dual threat of drought-like conditions and flash floods puts Kashmir Valley’s food security at risk
Waterlogging pushes Haryana farmers to sell agricultural land, take up odd jobs
Plan adaptation and mitigation to factor in growing risk of compound extremes, study suggests
Special series
Wetland Champions
- [Commentary] India establishes the largest network of Ramsar Sites in South Asia
- [Commentary] Wetland champions: Promise from the grassroots
- The story of Jakkur lake sets an example for inclusive rejuvenation projects
- Welcome to Tsomgo lake: Please don’t litter
Environment And Health
- Marine plastic pollution is not just a waste problem; reducing production is needed too
- Stitching sustainability amidst climate change challenges
- Gujarat bans exotic Conocarpus tree amid health and environment hazard
- Malaria-carrying mosquitoes shift homes from forests to rice fields
India's Iconic Landscapes
- Majuli’s shrinking wetlands and their fight for survival
- Saving India’s wild ‘unicorns’
- Indrella ampulla’s genetic tapestry unveils colour morphs isolated across the Palghat Gap
- [Commentary] Up close and personal with the fragility of the Himalayas
Beyond Protected Areas
- Pathogens find new pathways as agriculture, deforestation intensify
- Measuring the scavenging value of vultures
- New rules spell giant troubles for jumbos
- Climate litigation has entered the room. But could great Indian bustards be inched out?
Conserving Agro-biodiversity
- Pricey guests: Urban invasive species cost the world billions every year
- [Commentary] GROW with agroforestry, a step towards sustainable land management
- Millet tradition loses flavour among Madhya Pradesh’s tribals
- A village nurtures traditional food systems in response to climate change
Just Transitions
- How unplanned coal mine closures in India are affecting dependent communities, especially women
- Green Credit Scheme’s ‘methodology’ doesn’t inspire confidence among experts
- Conflict over critical mineral prospecting in Odisha signals need for better community involvement
- Fuel leak in Manipur raises concerns over water contamination