India May face Too Harsh Summer this Year: Experts

El Nino conditions may make the summer months extra harsh this year, warn weather experts. A report released by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in February reports about a 50% probability of El Nino conditions in June, July and August. The chances of El Nino conditions affecting India were higher at 58% in July, August, and September.

Usually, El Nino is associated with poor monsoon rainfall. But according to weather experts, a reliable picture of El Nino’s effect on the monsoon would emerge only in April-May.

“This spring may not be as bad but temperatures are expected to be above normal in February and March is expected to be warm. Summer temperatures may be very high,” an HT report quoted Mahesh Palawat, Vice-President, Climate and Meteorology, Skymet Weather.

The possibility of a “harsh summer” this year has also been predicted by Ministry of Earth Science Secretary, M Rajeevan. Last year, at least nine cities in India saw temperatures above 45° Celsius.

El Nino and La Nina are the warm and cool phases of a recurring climate pattern across the tropical Pacific Ocean. El Nino is related to the unusual warming of waters, whereas La Nina sees unusually cooler waters in the ocean region. Rainfall in India is usually reduced in an El Nino year.