Rising frequency and intensity of flood, drought and cyclone

May’s rainfall in India was 74 per cent more than the long period average, according to the India Meteorological Department.

May’s rainfall in India was 74 per cent more than the long period average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It was second highest in 121 years. The average maximum temperature at 34.18 degrees Celsius last month was lowest since 1977. Somewhat benign summer, quite unusual for this time of the year though, was the only respite in an otherwise gloomy month, ravaged as it was by the Coronavirus pandemic. The onset of monsoon in Mumbai earlier this week was anything but normal. The maximum city received 44 per cent of the average June rainfall in a single day on June 9! Even by Mumbai’s standard, it was a bit too much in early days of the rainy season.