TOPIC OF THE DAY:-“Welcome Clouds: An Optimistic Monsoon Forecast”
The most recent assessment put out by the India Meteorological Department, that the southwest monsoon will be “normal” after a short break, comes as a relief. At the end of two months the total rainfall has met the criteria for ‘normality,’ although there are wide variations in the patterns of showers, leaving some districts hit by drought as others face floods. Official data show that the realisation of 384.7 mm of rain as of July 25 is only a 3% negative departure from the Long Period Average. Yet, within this phase of the monsoon, some districts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana and Vidarbha experienced deficits ranging from 20% to 59%. In the case of Gujarat, it has been a story of both deficiency and heavy rainfall within the State. As with many previous monsoons, this rainy season has so far witnessed a lot of death and destruction: at least 465 people have died this year. Roads and infrastructure have been destroyed, and it will take massive investments to rebuild them. Thousands of people have had to shift to relief camps as floods have ruined their houses. Such displaced families urgently need relief to resume normal life. The rainfall patterns, with their spatial variations, have major implications for agriculture and groundwater recharge as well. Water is the key determinant of India’s agricultural output and the National Commission on Farmers chaired by the scientist, Professor M.S. Swaminathan, had several recommendations for its optimal use. Given that 60% of the 192 million hectares of gross sown area assessed by the Commission was found to be rainfed, an accelerated programme to harness the monsoon is vital. State programmes must take all measures to expand surface water storage, launch more minor irrigation schemes, and improve the recharge of groundwater. Altered rainfall trends in terms of intensity and variations across regions pose a new challenge. Scientists contend that the alluvial soil of the northern States benefit more from slow precipitation, while the hard-rock geography of the south needs heavy showers for groundwater recharge. Yet, many districts have been receiving short, heavy spells and not steady rain. A future-ready approach should therefore focus on augmented storage and greater participation of the farming community in managing the vital resource. The IMD has issued a “normal” outlook for August, which is encouraging, and there are signs of fresh monsoon activity in Odisha, south Chhattisgarh, north coastal Andhra Pradesh and parts of Telangana. If the forecast is accurate, and the trend of favourable climate conditions in the Indian Ocean continue, a further normal course of the season through September can be expected.
WORDS AND MEANINGS
1) Drought
Meaning: A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.
Example: “The cause of Europe’s recent droughts”
Synonyms: Dry spell, Dry period.
2) Departure
Meaning: The action of leaving, especially to start a journey.
Example: “The day of departure”
Synonyms: Leaving, Going.
3) Deficits
Meaning: The amount by which something, especially a sum of money, is too small.
Example: “An annual operating deficit”
Synonyms: Shortfall, Deficiency.
4) Witnessed
Meaning: See (an event, typically a crime or accident) happen.
Example: “Staff who witnessed the murder”
Synonyms: See, Observe.
5) Ruined
Meaning: Reduce (a building or place) to a state of decay, collapse, or disintegration.
Example: “A ruined castle”
Synonyms: Destroy, Devastate.
6) Resume
Meaning: Begin again or continue after a pause or interruption.
Example: “A day later normal service was resumed”
Synonyms: Restart, Recommence.
7) Implications
Meaning: The conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated.
Example: “The implication is that no one person at the bank is responsible”
Synonyms: Suggestion, Inference.
8) Determinant
Meaning: A factor which decisively affects the nature or outcome of something.
Example: “Pure force of will was the main determinant of his success”
9) Optimal
Meaning: Best or most favourable; optimum.
Example: “Seeking the optimal solution”
10) Sown
Meaning: Plant (seed) by scattering it on or in the earth.
Example: “Fill a pot with compost and sow a thin layer of seeds on top”
Synonyms: Scatter, Spread.
11) Rainfed
Meaning: Filled or supplied primarily with rainwater.
Example: “A rainfed lake”
12) Harness
Meaning: Control and make use of (natural resources), especially to produce energy.
Example: “Attempts to harness solar energy”
Synonyms: Control, Exploit.
13) Pose
Meaning: Present or constitute (a problem or danger).
Example: “The sheer number of visitors is posing a threat to the area”
Synonyms: Constitute, Present.
14) Contend
Meaning: Struggle to surmount (a difficulty).
Example: “She had to contend with his uncertain temper”
Synonyms: Cope with, Face.
15) Augmented
Meaning: Having been made greater in size or value.
Example: “Augmented pensions for those retiring at 65”
