It was a tale of two monsoons in India this month. While some northern states faced floods and landslides due to record-breaking rains, many other regions suffered from drought-like conditions.

The sudden downpour also pushed the country’s overall rainfall into surplus, after a dry June. But what caused this erratic weather pattern? And what does it mean for farmers and consumers? MindVoice Explains:

The main reason behind the heavy rains in North India was a western disturbance, which is a low-pressure system that brings moisture from the Mediterranean region. This system interacted with the monsoon winds, resulting in intense rainfall over Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued alerts for some of these areas, but not for Delhi, where it had predicted moderate rains. The IMD also said that the rains were not linked to climate change, but many experts disagree.

They say that global warming is making the monsoon more unpredictable and extreme, as warmer air can hold more moisture and release it in short bursts. This leads to fewer rainy days but more heavy rain events, which can cause floods and landslides in hilly areas and waterlogging and crop damage in plains.

The uneven distribution of rains also affected the kharif or summer crops, which depend on timely and adequate rainfall. As of 9 July, the area under kharif crops was 5% lower than last year, mainly due to lower sowing of rice, pulses and oilseeds. The farmers who planted early faced losses due to either drought or excess water, while those who waited for better rains missed the optimum window.

The consumers may also have to pay more for cereals and vegetables, as supply gets disrupted. The IMD expects the monsoon to revive in the second half of July and bring normal rains to most parts of the country. But the damage done by the monsoon mayhem will take longer to heal.

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