Changing cloud patterns impacting India’s monsoon dynamics, says study

Study shows deep convective clouds during Indian summer monsoon season rising, leading to more extreme weather events.

The deep convective clouds during the Indian summer monsoon season have risen by around one kilometre over the past two decades triggering more extreme weather events, according to a study.

The research was conducted by a team of experts at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat), European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and the UK Met Office.

The study titled ‘Observational Evidence of Increasing Intensity and Frequency of Deep Convective Clouds during the Indian Summer Monsoon Season,’ was published in the prestigious Geophysical Research Letters (GRL) journal, said a communication.

By analysing satellite observations from 2000 to 2020, researchers found that the upper parts of deep convective clouds had risen by around one kilometre during the summer monsoon season. This increase in cloud height indicates more intense convective activity, which in turn leads to greater chances of extreme rainfall during India’s monsoon season, it said.

The research said that strong convective activity created conditions conducive to heavy rainfall and flooding in northwestern India. Similarly, on the western and eastern coasts, the influence of the warm Indian Ocean intensifies convection, resulting in severe rainfall. Besides, this phenomenon contributes to increased rainfall in northeastern India during the monsoon season.

The research was conducted by doctoral fellow Roshni Antony and co-authored by Prof. Dr. Satheesan from Cusat, Dr. Viju O. John from EUMETSAT, and Dr. Prince Xavier from the UK Met Office, under the guidance of Dr. Ajil Kottayil from the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Cusat.