When Rain Rules no more causing a nation at mercy of shifting sky

India is a country highly dependent on agriculture , our economy has a major chunk that is dependent on agriculture. Agriculture in our country is reliant on rainfall which makes the monsoon season highly important . Southwest monsoon which stretches from June to September holds the account for nearly 70 percent of India's annual rainfall . However , when we take the last 2 decades into account , we notice a drastic change in rainfall patterns and climate behavior . These changes mainly occur due to the global climate change which attributes to various consequences of food security, public health, disaster preparedness and water availability .

When we take a look into history of rainfall patterns in India we find that it is largely predictable but in present times regional imbalances are seen which makes uneven rainfall distribution more evident. A crew or council on energy, environment and water has reported that nearly 55 % of India's tehsils have seen an increase in monsoon rainfall intensity. Several regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat and some parts of Maharashtra as well are experiencing more rainfall. These regions are generally dry regions. On the other hand some agriculturally critical areas are experiencing decline in rainfall trends. Areas such as Indo-Gangetic plains, Uttarakhand and several parts of northeast India.

Climate change is not just indicated by rise in temperatures but it is also  linked to extreme weather. One such major shift that is noticeable is short, intense rainfall events. Many cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru are facing flash floods due to heavy and intense rainfall and suffering due to incapable infrastructure capacity. According to stats in 2023 Chandigarh recorded almost half its annual rainfall in just two days, causing a paralysed civic life. On other hand, there is a decrease in moderate and light rainfall which results in prolonged dry spells and drought conditions in several states. In areas where rain fed agriculture dominates, this trend seems to be problematic.

Indian agriculture is facing severe implications due to these changes in rainfall pattern and climate behavior. When crops are taken into consideration like rice, wheat and pulses, they are extremely sensitive to the timing and quantity of rainfall. Due to unpredictable rains the sowing and harvesting schedules are impacted severely which results in crop failures and reduction in productivity. Water resources are under stress too. With erratic rain patterns there is failure for collection of adequate water for reservoirs and groundwater recharge systems. When we talk about rural areas they already suffer from water scarcity, with these rain patterns they are suffering even more. Due to this there is a rise in dependency on groundwater for irrigation which further threatens long - term water sustainability.

There is no uniformity seen in climate change across India. Southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala have seen increased rainfall from the northeast monsoon which spans from October to December while on other hand the northeast regions which are traditionally wet are becoming drier. These variations require several tailored solutions for each specific region , depending on local geography, agriculture, as well as  water usage patterns.

To recover these adverse effects of shifting rainfall patterns, steps are being taken by both central and state governments. Amrit Sarovar Yojana in Uttar Pradesh is promoting the construction of rainwater harvesting ponds. NMSA or national mission for sustainable agriculture is helping farmers to adopt climate - resilient practices. Cities are also revising their urban planning to include flood-resilient drainage and infrastructure systems.

India is standing at a critical point. The changing climate and erratic rainfall are already affecting millions of livelihoods. If left unattended, these patterns could possibly trigger food shortages, migration, and social unrest. Adaptation through policy, technology, and local innovation—is what is needed at this hour. Strengthening our early warning systems, educating farmers, and promoting sustainable water practices can help India navigate this climate challenge.