Kerala may face drought; expect extreme climate events

A recent study by Kerala State Council For Science, Technology, and Environment (KSCSTE) shows that there may be a 16 per cent increase in rainfall and a 20 per cent rise in extreme climate events in Kerala by the end of this century.

An increase in annual rainfall with a reduction in rainy days, increased rainless days leading to drought spells, and an increase in both maximum and minimum temperatures that could considerably alter the seasons and crop patterns in the state are some of the scary findings that the study predicted.

The study has also predicted a possible increase in the maximum temperature to the tune of 1.7 degrees centigrade. In addition, in the minimum temperature, an increase of 1.9 degrees centigrade, indicates that there is a shift in the temperature range.

He said after KSDMA “pushed” the Indian Meteorological Department to establish a denser weather station network in Kerala, post the 2018 and 2019 floods, and got 100 automatic weather stations established in the state, they could now monitor temperature at 100 different locations in the state.