Climate of India — Current Affairs 2026
Current Affairs Connections
IMD Forecasts 'Above Normal' Monsoon for 2024, Raising Hopes for Agriculture
April 15, 2024The India Meteorological Department (IMD) released its first long-range forecast for the 2024 Southwest Monsoon, predicting 'above normal' rainfall at 106% of the Long Period Average (LPA). This forecast comes after a challenging 2023 monsoon, which was impacted by El Niño conditions. An 'above normal' monsoon is crucial for India's agriculture-dependent economy, ensuring food security and rural incomes. However, the forecast also carries a caveat: 'above normal' doesn't necessarily mean evenly distributed rainfall, and localized extreme events (heavy downpours, dry spells) remain a concern, reflecting the monsoon paradox.
UPSC Angle: Monsoon predictions are a perennial UPSC topic. This hook allows discussion on the science of monsoon forecasting (IMD's models, role of ENSO, IOD), its socio-economic implications for agriculture, water resources, and inflation, and the challenges of managing monsoon variability in the context of climate change. Aspirants should analyze the implications of such a forecast for different sectors.
Record-Breaking Heatwaves Grip North India in May-June 2024, Prompting Health Alerts
May-June 2024North India experienced an unprecedented spell of heatwaves during May and early June 2024, with temperatures soaring above 45°C in many regions and breaking historical records. This extreme weather event led to numerous health advisories, increased power demand, and significant stress on water resources. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such heatwaves to global climate change, highlighting the vulnerability of India's population and infrastructure to rising temperatures. The delayed onset of monsoon in some affected regions further exacerbated the situation.
UPSC Angle: This event is directly relevant to climate change impacts and extreme weather events. UPSC questions can focus on the causes of heatwaves (atmospheric blocking, lack of Western Disturbances, urban heat island effect), their socio-economic and health impacts, government preparedness and disaster management strategies, and the broader implications of global warming for India's climate resilience. It also connects to urban planning and sustainable development.
India's National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) Projects Show Mixed Progress
March 2025 (Hypothetical Review)A review of projects under India's National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) indicates mixed progress in enhancing climate resilience across various states. While some projects, such as those promoting climate-resilient agriculture in drought-prone areas or coastal protection measures, have shown promising results, others face implementation challenges related to funding, community participation, and inter-departmental coordination. The NAFCC aims to support concrete adaptation activities that are not covered under existing schemes, focusing on sectors like agriculture, water, and coastal management, which are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
UPSC Angle: This hook provides an opportunity to discuss India's climate change adaptation policies and mechanisms. Aspirants can analyze the objectives and functioning of NAFCC, evaluate its effectiveness, identify implementation challenges, and suggest improvements. It connects to environmental governance, sustainable development goals, and the role of central and state governments in addressing climate change impacts, particularly on vulnerable communities and sectors.