A catastrophic rainfall event struck Delhi and the National Capital Region on the night of June 27, 2024, causing widespread flooding and claiming 11 lives. This extreme weather event, characterized by its sudden onset and intensity, has raised concerns about the changing nature of monsoon patterns in the region and the city's preparedness for such disasters.
The flooding was primarily caused by the rapid and intense onset of the southwest monsoon, interacting with an active western disturbance. This combination led to unprecedented rainfall, with the Safdarjung observatory recording 228 millimeters of rain by 8:30 am on June 28. This marks the second-highest June rainfall recorded at the observatory since 1936, underscoring the exceptional nature of the event.
Among the 11 fatalities, four people tragically drowned in submerged underpasses, highlighting the dangers posed by inadequate urban drainage systems during such extreme weather events. The sudden deluge overwhelmed the city's infrastructure, leading to widespread waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and property damage.
Climate experts point to changing weather patterns as a key factor in this disaster. Dr. Raghu Murtugudde, a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, and emeritus professor at the University of Maryland, explained that the monsoon's behavior this year has been unusual. "The eastern edge of the trough curled up rapidly as the western edge jumped forward to the north as well. It was stuck around Mumbai for almost two weeks," he told Down To Earth.
Another significant factor contributing to the extreme rainfall was the presence of a western disturbance and its associated cyclonic circulation over the region. Western disturbances, typically extra-tropical storms that bring winter precipitation to the western Himalayas, have been occurring more frequently during summer months in recent years.
A study published in the journal Weather and Climate Dynamics reveals that western disturbances have become twice as common in June over the past two decades compared to the previous 50 years. This shift is attributed to a strengthening subtropical jet stream, likely influenced by broader climate change patterns.
The increasing frequency of these summer western disturbances, combined with the intensifying monsoon, creates a potent mix for extreme rainfall events. This trend poses significant challenges for urban planners and disaster management authorities, who must now contend with a changing climate that defies historical norms.
The Delhi-NCR flooding event serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure and the need for improved disaster preparedness. As cities like Delhi continue to expand rapidly, the imperative to develop resilient and adaptive urban systems becomes ever more critical.
Looking ahead, meteorologists predict more rainfall for the region in the coming days. This forecast underscores the urgent need for both short-term mitigation measures and long-term strategies to enhance urban resilience. Key areas of focus should include:
1. Improving drainage systems to handle intense rainfall events
2. Developing early warning systems for extreme weather
3. Creating green infrastructure to absorb excess rainwater
4. Implementing stricter building codes in flood-prone areas
5. Enhancing public awareness and emergency response protocols
As climate change continues to alter weather patterns globally, events like the Delhi-NCR flooding are likely to become more frequent and intense. This disaster serves as a wake-up call for policymakers, urban planners, and citizens alike to prioritize climate adaptation and resilience in our rapidly growing cities. Only through proactive measures and sustainable urban development can we hope to mitigate the impacts of such extreme weather events in the future.
