Global warming increases flooding in India
mongabay.com
December 1, 2006
Extreme rains are becoming more common in India as more moderate rains decline, increasing the risk of flooding, according to a study published in the journal Science.
The study, conducted by scientists at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, found that heavy rain events -- one where at least 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain fell -- are more frequent and severe than they were in 1951. The increase in heavy rains is offset by a decline in moderate rains, leaving overall rainfall levels unchanged overall. However the increase in heavy rain events means catastrophic flooding and landslides are more common said B.N. Goswami, lead author of the research.
Goswami said climate change, which has caused a 0.9 degree Fahrenheit (0.5 degree Celsius) increase in temperatures in India since 1950, is likely fueling the shift and may worsen in coming years as global temperatures continue to climb.
Citation: "Increasing Trend of Extreme Rain Events Over India in a Warming Environment" of Goswami B.N., Venugopal V., Sengupta D., Madhusoodanan M.S., Xavier Prince K. published in Science, volume 314, 1 December 2006
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