Recognizing the Summer Monsoon of 2024 and Its Consequences
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The summer monsoon, often known as the "southwest monsoon," is defined by winds that come from the southwest and pass the Western Ghats to enter mainland India from the Arabian Sea. The overall climatic patterns, water resources, and agriculture of India are all greatly impacted by this meteorological event.
The 2024 monsoon season began on May 30 and as we progress through it, we see a complicated and a little surprising pattern of rainfall distribution. The actual rainfall has been highly irregular, contrary to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) original estimates of normal to above-average rainfall due to an anticipated La Niña. The northward movement of the monsoon trough appeared swift at first, but it halted, resulting in a drier-than-expected June across much of the country, including the Western Ghats.
Recognizing the Summer Monsoon of 2024 and Its Consequences
The summer monsoon, often known as the "southwest monsoon," is defined by winds that come from the southwest and pass the Western Ghats to enter mainland India from the Arabian Sea. The overall climatic patterns, water resources, and agriculture of India are all greatly impacted by this meteorological event.
The Monsoon's Wider Circulation
The influence of the monsoon season is not limited to India. The African highlands are grazed by winds from the southwest, which might be drawn towards India by the Bay of Bengal's activity. The heat over West Asia and the dust from its deserts also add to the variability of the monsoon and its alterations as a result of global warming. The eastern Bay of Bengal and areas like Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar are important in controlling the monsoon and bringing heat to the Indian subcontinent.
Limitations on Data and Forecasting
The IMD is constantly working to improve monsoon forecasting, but its efforts are frequently hampered by a dearth of thorough rainfall and meteorological data from locations outside of India. Although some data is provided by satellites, it is still not enough to provide reliable projections in real time. Forecasts are aided by global models that use information from the planetary atmosphere and oceans, but the volume of data is frequently insufficient.
Increasing Monitoring Across the Subcontinent
With improvements in forecasting infrastructure, India's long-standing rainfall monitoring network, which dates back to the 19th century, is already producing notable benefits. India needs to do more to increase prediction accuracy and maintain economic growth, especially with regard to food, water, and energy security. Furthermore, national security, which significantly depends on precise weather and climate forecasts, stands to benefit.
Increasing safety and lowering vulnerability can be achieved by building a comprehensive network to monitor weather and climate throughout the subcontinent and expanding the approach to share forecasts with adjacent countries. Opportunities for improved resource management, health, and general well-being for the entire region would be enhanced by this collaboration.
Student protests in Bangladesh
The 2018 minor anti-quota movement planted the seeds for the current quota reform push. The Bangladesh High Court denied a plea on March 8, 2018, contesting the validity of the nation's quota system, which has been in place since the early 1970s. Amidst this context, Ms. Hasina said that she would uphold the quota for the offspring of the liberation war veterans.
Ms. Hasina and the Awami League have long dominated Bangladesh's political system. Opposition parties and opponents have increasingly expressed the opinion that the freedom fighter quota was simply an attempt to cultivate a cadre of close Awami League sympathizers inside the civil service or bureaucracy who would uphold the Awami League's control.
Ms. Hasina referred to the demonstrators who opposed the quota for the families of the freedom fighters as "razakars," or traitors who helped the Pakistani military commit massive crimes against both men and women in 1971.
China, Philippines reach deal in effort to stop clashes at shoal
The Philippine administration said on Sunday that China and the Philippines have achieved an agreement they believe will put an end to conflicts at the most hotly contested shoal in the South China Sea.
Second Thomas Shoal is disputed by China and the Philippines, and growing hostilities at sea have raised concerns about further confrontations in which the US may become involved.
Following several discussions between Chinese and Philippine diplomats in Manila and the exchange of diplomatic notes intended to create a mutually agreeable arrangement at the shoal without compromising either side's territorial claims, the important agreement was finally struck on Sunday.
"Both sides agree that communication and consultation are the best ways to resolve disagreements and defuse the current South China Sea situation.
