Jayashree Nandi & Indrani Basu, TNN Oct 7, 2011, 05.25AM IST toireporter@timesgroup.com
New Delhi: After Durga was immersed with festive fervour, devotees bent their heads reverentially for the sprinkling of 'holy water'. But they were in fact breathing stench and getting sprayed with drain water. The Yamuna seemed like a dirty nullah choked and frothing with filth and scum.
And what's shocking, the water level has receded to such low levels that devotees were seen wading in the middle of the river, the water barely touching their knees.
"There will probably be a time when we won't need boats. And it's just not about the water level, the stench here is unbearable. We spend our days here and pollution is killing the river," said Vikas Paswan, a boatman at Kalindi Kunj ghat.
The ambitious New Ganga and Yamuna Action Plans have still not been able to bring the river back from the brink. And activists say speedy implementation of the plan can still save the Yamuna.
"There are several reasons for the receding water levels. Water is diverted into Yamuna's tributaries like Renuka, which is also dying due to lack of natural water source. Rising population and depleting agricultural land are also exerting pressure on the river," said Puran Chand, an activist of the Renuka Bandh Sangharsh Samiti.
Experts say the city is hardly equipped to treat waste water. "Under the Water Pollution Act, 1974, it is illegal to dump untreated water. The national capital is setting the worst example by not treating waste water. Even the small amount that is treated is released into the untreated waste water that defeats the entire purpose. The river does not belong to the Delhi alone. There are a lot of excuses offered by authorities, including migration and overpopulation for not treating water, but it has been many years and the situation is just getting worse," said Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator for South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People.
Environmentalists say there is almost no fresh water in the Yamuna today. With fresh water diverted from Wazirabad for urban use, the water flowing downstream carries untreated pollutants from Delhi. The urban and industrial waste and drain water from Najafgarh pass through Kalindi Kunj ghat.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Scavengers strike gold in trash heap (Time of India 07 October 2011)
Indrani Basu, TNN Oct 7, 2011, 05.23AM IST indrani.basu@timesgroup.com
New Delhi: With the immersion of the idols on Vijaya Dashami, it is curtains to Durga Puja, but for these ragpickers, the festival has just begun. These band of boys from the nearby jhuggi clusters around the Yamuna ghats look forward to this day each year when hundreds of puja devotees come for the immersion and leave behind offerings. What is waste for others is big money for them.
Proudly clutching his "booty" in a dirty, white plastic sack, seven-year-old Suhaib says he collected enough utensils to last a year for his family in about 50 minutes. There are many others who like Suhaib are busy sifting through piles of incense sticks, puja samagri and packets of flowers to retrieve what they consider "useful" waste.
"I collect gatta (cardboard) and plastic. Gatta sells for Rs 5 a kilo and plastic for Rs 13 a kilo. Today, I have already made two trips to my house to empty my bag. I will collect enough to sell for at least Rs 50. All my siblings are also here. We will have a feast tonight," said a jubilant nine-year-old Bhuwan. He stays in a rundown hut near the Shamshan Ghat with his paralytic mother and three siblings.
For most of these children, the festivities begin only when the puja ends for the devotees. Each year, these children watch from the banks of the Yamuna as the puja committees come the ghats with their idols. As the devotees dance and pray in front of the idols before the visarjan, the scavengers too join in, in anticipation of the treasures that they would soon find in the devotees' waste. Most people coming for the visarjan carry water bottles and plastic packets that they carelessly throw away before leaving the ghat, and these children are only too happy to pick them up and stow them away in the bags they bring with them.
"Sometimes, we have demarcated areas where each scavenger can forage. We cover the whole ghat and some of the more experienced swimmers dive into the water to salvage packets of utensils which the devotees throw into the river. Our operation continues till late into the evening. For us, it's a hard day's work, but it is also our one of the happier days. Vijaya Dashami is the day when we are assured of a full meal at night. Many of the things we manage to salvage keep us going for the rest of the year," said 12-year-old Vijay, who has been visiting the ghat on Vijaya Dashami since he was eight years old.
As devotees pull out of the ghats chanting "Ma Durga would be back again next year", these young scavengers join in to echo their prayer.
New Delhi: With the immersion of the idols on Vijaya Dashami, it is curtains to Durga Puja, but for these ragpickers, the festival has just begun. These band of boys from the nearby jhuggi clusters around the Yamuna ghats look forward to this day each year when hundreds of puja devotees come for the immersion and leave behind offerings. What is waste for others is big money for them.
Proudly clutching his "booty" in a dirty, white plastic sack, seven-year-old Suhaib says he collected enough utensils to last a year for his family in about 50 minutes. There are many others who like Suhaib are busy sifting through piles of incense sticks, puja samagri and packets of flowers to retrieve what they consider "useful" waste.
"I collect gatta (cardboard) and plastic. Gatta sells for Rs 5 a kilo and plastic for Rs 13 a kilo. Today, I have already made two trips to my house to empty my bag. I will collect enough to sell for at least Rs 50. All my siblings are also here. We will have a feast tonight," said a jubilant nine-year-old Bhuwan. He stays in a rundown hut near the Shamshan Ghat with his paralytic mother and three siblings.
For most of these children, the festivities begin only when the puja ends for the devotees. Each year, these children watch from the banks of the Yamuna as the puja committees come the ghats with their idols. As the devotees dance and pray in front of the idols before the visarjan, the scavengers too join in, in anticipation of the treasures that they would soon find in the devotees' waste. Most people coming for the visarjan carry water bottles and plastic packets that they carelessly throw away before leaving the ghat, and these children are only too happy to pick them up and stow them away in the bags they bring with them.
"Sometimes, we have demarcated areas where each scavenger can forage. We cover the whole ghat and some of the more experienced swimmers dive into the water to salvage packets of utensils which the devotees throw into the river. Our operation continues till late into the evening. For us, it's a hard day's work, but it is also our one of the happier days. Vijaya Dashami is the day when we are assured of a full meal at night. Many of the things we manage to salvage keep us going for the rest of the year," said 12-year-old Vijay, who has been visiting the ghat on Vijaya Dashami since he was eight years old.
As devotees pull out of the ghats chanting "Ma Durga would be back again next year", these young scavengers join in to echo their prayer.
Yamuna chokes on toxins as puja samitis flout norms (Time of India 07 October 2011)
Jayashree Nandi, TNN Oct 7, 2011, 05.24AM IST jayashree.nandi @timesgroup.com
New Delhi: As Durga idols slowly sank into the Yamuna, nostalgia hung heavy and so was an overbearing stench over the ghats. The muddy, smelly waters along the Kalindi Kunj ghat were choked as hundreds of idols were hauled up by cranes and immersed. Plastic bottles, packets, thermocol and ornaments of goddesses were washed ashore in the ebb and flow.
Though most organizers claimed idols were decked up with herbal color, hardly anyone followed immersion guidelines. Toxic dyes and insoluble material sunk into the polluted waters, which drastically brings down the biological oxygen demand levels of aquatic life. Clothes or ornaments were also not removed in clear violation of the norms.
"The water is already polluted. I don't think it's only because of use of chemical colours or the large number of idols immersed," said Moloy Das, a member of Ashoka Enclave 3 puja committee in Faridabad.
Member of South Delhi immersion committee, Anjan Mukherjee, said eco-idols is the trend this year. "Most of our registered members said they have used herbal colours. There is no way we could monitor this. And going by the promise, pollution should be low this year. We have also created separate enclosures to dump non-biodegradable material like ornaments, plastic and thermocol. Last year, we received several complaints that dumping of plastic had affected fish culture. Most of the violators are unregistered members," he said.
Artistes of the Cooperative Ground Durga Puja Samiti for instance said they had used vegetable dyes and clay from the Yamuna and Ganga, Many puja samitis also claimed to have used minimal paint. But majority of the samitis had flouted guidelines and used toxic lead-based colours.
"Some organizers have shifted to eco-colours. But most colours contain heavy metals and toxins. And not all immersions take place at Wazirabad, many idols are taken upstream. This leads to toxins trickling into the water works.
Most idols remain afloat for months due to the kind of material used. The number of puja pandals have also increased. We have to find other ways to deal with it," said Ravi Agarwal of Toxic Link, an NGO working on toxic pollution.
Durga puja organisers say authorities need to maintain strict vigil on the day of immersion. Some devotees who flocked the ghats couldn't believe it was a river. "Look at the state of the river. Chemicals and waste have killed it. Immersion is not the sole reason for pollution. The river is under too much pressure," said Shobhit Mukherjee, who came with his friends to watch the event.
Communities living around Kalindi Kunj ghat say clean water is needed at least for the immersion ritual as it has tremendous religious and cultural significance. Vikas Paswan, a boatman, said,
"We have been living here for a decade. Each year, the water gets more polluted. Even human excreta is let out into the Yamuna. The water here is frothing with industrial waste from factories and the stench is because of the heavy inflow of drain water. I really wish there was clean water to bid farewell to our gods."
New Delhi: As Durga idols slowly sank into the Yamuna, nostalgia hung heavy and so was an overbearing stench over the ghats. The muddy, smelly waters along the Kalindi Kunj ghat were choked as hundreds of idols were hauled up by cranes and immersed. Plastic bottles, packets, thermocol and ornaments of goddesses were washed ashore in the ebb and flow.
Though most organizers claimed idols were decked up with herbal color, hardly anyone followed immersion guidelines. Toxic dyes and insoluble material sunk into the polluted waters, which drastically brings down the biological oxygen demand levels of aquatic life. Clothes or ornaments were also not removed in clear violation of the norms.
"The water is already polluted. I don't think it's only because of use of chemical colours or the large number of idols immersed," said Moloy Das, a member of Ashoka Enclave 3 puja committee in Faridabad.
Member of South Delhi immersion committee, Anjan Mukherjee, said eco-idols is the trend this year. "Most of our registered members said they have used herbal colours. There is no way we could monitor this. And going by the promise, pollution should be low this year. We have also created separate enclosures to dump non-biodegradable material like ornaments, plastic and thermocol. Last year, we received several complaints that dumping of plastic had affected fish culture. Most of the violators are unregistered members," he said.
Artistes of the Cooperative Ground Durga Puja Samiti for instance said they had used vegetable dyes and clay from the Yamuna and Ganga, Many puja samitis also claimed to have used minimal paint. But majority of the samitis had flouted guidelines and used toxic lead-based colours.
"Some organizers have shifted to eco-colours. But most colours contain heavy metals and toxins. And not all immersions take place at Wazirabad, many idols are taken upstream. This leads to toxins trickling into the water works.
Most idols remain afloat for months due to the kind of material used. The number of puja pandals have also increased. We have to find other ways to deal with it," said Ravi Agarwal of Toxic Link, an NGO working on toxic pollution.
Durga puja organisers say authorities need to maintain strict vigil on the day of immersion. Some devotees who flocked the ghats couldn't believe it was a river. "Look at the state of the river. Chemicals and waste have killed it. Immersion is not the sole reason for pollution. The river is under too much pressure," said Shobhit Mukherjee, who came with his friends to watch the event.
Communities living around Kalindi Kunj ghat say clean water is needed at least for the immersion ritual as it has tremendous religious and cultural significance. Vikas Paswan, a boatman, said,
"We have been living here for a decade. Each year, the water gets more polluted. Even human excreta is let out into the Yamuna. The water here is frothing with industrial waste from factories and the stench is because of the heavy inflow of drain water. I really wish there was clean water to bid farewell to our gods."
Friday, October 7, 2011
Kerala submits proposal for new Mullaperiyar dam (The Hindu 02 October 2011)
Ahead of the October 10 meeting of the Empowered Committee headed by former Chief Justice of India A.S. Anand, the Kerala government has submitted the feasibility report for new Mullaperiyar Dam to be located at 366 m below the centre line of the existing dam.
According to the Kerala government, the old dam will be demolished only after completion of the new dam and as such diversion of river flow for carrying out the construction of new dam will not be a major problem.
The present arrangement of water diversion to Tamil Nadu will continue to function uninterruptedly during the construction of the new dam and also after its commissioning.
According to the 130-page report, a copy of which is with The Hindu the total estimated amount for the new dam is Rs.663 crore and it is to be built spread over a period of four years.
“It is a straight gravity concrete dam. The structure consists of a main dam and a small saddle dam on the right side. The spillway is located in river portion and is located +366.0m downstream of the existing old Mullaperiyar Dam. The favourable geomorphological conditions coupled with reduced additional area of submergence (26.33Ha) of flora and fauna make the location highly technically and environmentally acceptable. The new dam has been designed for earthquake forces also.”
The height of the new dam will be 52.16 metres (from deepest foundation up to road level) and its length will be 305.9 m (including piers) and bottom width will be 42.253 m. The crest level and FRL is kept the same and hence actually no shutters are necessary at 52.16 m.
But since the outflow is to be restricted to 1.22 lakh cusecs, whenever reservoir level reaches a particular level between 148 and 149 feet, the effective vent way is to be reduced by lowering the shutters to the required level.
The report says a special purpose vehicle is being created to carry out the effective and efficient management of the construction of the New Mullaperiyar Dam after obtaining all the mandatory clearances. Kerala will commission the New Dam most expeditiously and in the minimum time frame to safeguard the lives and properties of its thousands of people and to ensure continued supply of water to the needy farmers of Tamil Nadu.
Justifying the necessity for construction of a new dam, the report says, “There is a limit to the number of years one can keep dams in service through maintenance and strengthening measures. In the case of Mullaperiyar dam, the dam has to be there for another 884 years for diverting water to Tamil Nadu as per Lease Deed. This is an impossible proposition. All over the world, safety of dams is being reviewed as per modern standards and hundreds of dams have already been dismantled considering the safety aspects of human life and property.”
The report says, “In view of the definite conclusions of the scientific studies conducted by national institutions of repute and the persistent threat which the dam poses, it is imperative that the present old Mullaperiyar Dam demands urgent decommissioning for discharging the responsibility of the State to protect the lives and properties of its citizens.”
According to the Kerala government, the old dam will be demolished only after completion of the new dam and as such diversion of river flow for carrying out the construction of new dam will not be a major problem.
The present arrangement of water diversion to Tamil Nadu will continue to function uninterruptedly during the construction of the new dam and also after its commissioning.
According to the 130-page report, a copy of which is with The Hindu the total estimated amount for the new dam is Rs.663 crore and it is to be built spread over a period of four years.
“It is a straight gravity concrete dam. The structure consists of a main dam and a small saddle dam on the right side. The spillway is located in river portion and is located +366.0m downstream of the existing old Mullaperiyar Dam. The favourable geomorphological conditions coupled with reduced additional area of submergence (26.33Ha) of flora and fauna make the location highly technically and environmentally acceptable. The new dam has been designed for earthquake forces also.”
The height of the new dam will be 52.16 metres (from deepest foundation up to road level) and its length will be 305.9 m (including piers) and bottom width will be 42.253 m. The crest level and FRL is kept the same and hence actually no shutters are necessary at 52.16 m.
But since the outflow is to be restricted to 1.22 lakh cusecs, whenever reservoir level reaches a particular level between 148 and 149 feet, the effective vent way is to be reduced by lowering the shutters to the required level.
The report says a special purpose vehicle is being created to carry out the effective and efficient management of the construction of the New Mullaperiyar Dam after obtaining all the mandatory clearances. Kerala will commission the New Dam most expeditiously and in the minimum time frame to safeguard the lives and properties of its thousands of people and to ensure continued supply of water to the needy farmers of Tamil Nadu.
Justifying the necessity for construction of a new dam, the report says, “There is a limit to the number of years one can keep dams in service through maintenance and strengthening measures. In the case of Mullaperiyar dam, the dam has to be there for another 884 years for diverting water to Tamil Nadu as per Lease Deed. This is an impossible proposition. All over the world, safety of dams is being reviewed as per modern standards and hundreds of dams have already been dismantled considering the safety aspects of human life and property.”
The report says, “In view of the definite conclusions of the scientific studies conducted by national institutions of repute and the persistent threat which the dam poses, it is imperative that the present old Mullaperiyar Dam demands urgent decommissioning for discharging the responsibility of the State to protect the lives and properties of its citizens.”
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Holiday by the Yamuna in 2015 (TOI, 4 Oct 2011)
YA M U N A R I V E R F R O N T D E V E LO P M E N T P L A N
Holiday by the Yamuna in 2015
With jungles,camping sites and playgrounds,riverfront will offer a perfect getaway without the carbon miles
Neha Pushkarna | TNN
Amid the hustle and bustle of Delhi,you can finally look at Yamuna for respite in a few years from now.Come 2015,the way we know and treat Yamuna is going to change.DDAs much-needed Yamuna Riverfront Development plan is finally off the ground with work already on at a couple of sites,and estimates,sketches and deadlines drawn up for the others.If administrative lethargy doesn't set in,the banks of Yamuna will be full of theme parks,promenades,amphitheatres,wellness centres and biodiversity zones for ecological study,camping and bird-watching,giving Delhiites a refreshing break without really having to go far and away.
The Yamuna Riverfront Development plan was conceived last year.In a meeting with lieutenant governor Tejendra Khanna in September,DDA officials made a presentation on the progress of the plan which looked both promising and challenging.The plan aims at refurbishing the land along the river from Palla in the northwest to Jaitpur in the south,a distance of 48km.But encroachments and existing land use pose a huge challenge.
DDA is starting with the development of banks on four sites Yamuna Biodiversity Park (YBP) near Wazirabad,Qudsia Ghat behind Kashmere Gate ISBT,Golden Jubilee Park (GJP) near Geeta Colony and the Delhi-Noida-Delhi Flyway.DDA says most parts of these locations are available for redevelopment and will be converted into three zones protective biodiversity,interactive biodiversity and recreational based on their natural condition,availability of flora and fauna and accessibility.The last two zones will be for public use.Work on YBP and GJP is under way.Redevelopment at Qudsia Ghat is likely to begin in April 2012,while it should start in late 2013 at DND flyway.
These zones have been identified on the basis of value analysis of the region done through urban exploration or riverine ecology study besides considering other data and site context, said a DDA official.Biodiversity experts from the Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems are working to provide details of the wildlife available in the region and find ways for revival of their habitat.Land along Yamuna falls under Zone O of the Master Plan 2021 Delhi has been divided into 15 zones from A to P with Zone O having special characteristics and ecological significance.
About 9,700 hectares will be redeveloped.The four sites identified total up to 1,600 hectares in which 142 hectares in the DND Flyway zone is under habitation.The plan may help curb pollution of Yamuna.About 22km of Yamuna lies in the urban area with thermal and gas power stations,bathing ghats,sewage treatment plants and fly ash brick plants located alongside.
The riverfront development plan will restore and conserve the biotic heritage of Yamuna, said Neemo Dhar,spokesperson,DDA.
BAMBOO FOUNDATION
With construction prohibited on Yamunas banks,DDA plans to set up structures like bridges,seating areas,shelters,machans,naturopathy huts,eating areas and tree house using bamboo Bamboo will be planted on the banks of the river because of its ability to grow up to four feet a day without any fertilizers Eco-skywalk will be created as part of interactive biodiversity zone on the southern side of DND Flyway amid natural wetlands and grassland.It will be an elevated bamboo structure with a walking area and pause points for bird watching Zen Garden will be a spiritual wellness area located north of DND.Herbal garden,aroma garden,meditation areas,naturopathy and yoga huts will come up here
RIVER SIDEWALK
SITTING AREA
BRIDGES
NATUROPATHY HUT
ROCK GARDEN
SCULPTURES
WORKSHOPS
PROTECTIVE BIODIVERSITY ZONE |
Areas with existing wetlands and rich flora and fauna of river basin will be developed into core biodiversity zone.It will have thick and diverse plantation and even wildlife to achieve effects of a natural ecosystem
INTERACTIVE BIODIVERSITY ZONE |
It will have a moderate biodiversity layer and act as a buffer to the core zone.People will be allowed to enter for camping,exploring nature & ecological study
PUBLIC RECREATION ZONE |
Areas close to habitation with easy access will be developed for recreation.DDA has proposed to build playgrounds,theme parks,riverside promenade,orchards,exhibition areas and an informal bazaar
Holiday by the Yamuna in 2015
With jungles,camping sites and playgrounds,riverfront will offer a perfect getaway without the carbon miles
Neha Pushkarna | TNN
Amid the hustle and bustle of Delhi,you can finally look at Yamuna for respite in a few years from now.Come 2015,the way we know and treat Yamuna is going to change.DDAs much-needed Yamuna Riverfront Development plan is finally off the ground with work already on at a couple of sites,and estimates,sketches and deadlines drawn up for the others.If administrative lethargy doesn't set in,the banks of Yamuna will be full of theme parks,promenades,amphitheatres,wellness centres and biodiversity zones for ecological study,camping and bird-watching,giving Delhiites a refreshing break without really having to go far and away.
The Yamuna Riverfront Development plan was conceived last year.In a meeting with lieutenant governor Tejendra Khanna in September,DDA officials made a presentation on the progress of the plan which looked both promising and challenging.The plan aims at refurbishing the land along the river from Palla in the northwest to Jaitpur in the south,a distance of 48km.But encroachments and existing land use pose a huge challenge.
DDA is starting with the development of banks on four sites Yamuna Biodiversity Park (YBP) near Wazirabad,Qudsia Ghat behind Kashmere Gate ISBT,Golden Jubilee Park (GJP) near Geeta Colony and the Delhi-Noida-Delhi Flyway.DDA says most parts of these locations are available for redevelopment and will be converted into three zones protective biodiversity,interactive biodiversity and recreational based on their natural condition,availability of flora and fauna and accessibility.The last two zones will be for public use.Work on YBP and GJP is under way.Redevelopment at Qudsia Ghat is likely to begin in April 2012,while it should start in late 2013 at DND flyway.
These zones have been identified on the basis of value analysis of the region done through urban exploration or riverine ecology study besides considering other data and site context, said a DDA official.Biodiversity experts from the Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems are working to provide details of the wildlife available in the region and find ways for revival of their habitat.Land along Yamuna falls under Zone O of the Master Plan 2021 Delhi has been divided into 15 zones from A to P with Zone O having special characteristics and ecological significance.
About 9,700 hectares will be redeveloped.The four sites identified total up to 1,600 hectares in which 142 hectares in the DND Flyway zone is under habitation.The plan may help curb pollution of Yamuna.About 22km of Yamuna lies in the urban area with thermal and gas power stations,bathing ghats,sewage treatment plants and fly ash brick plants located alongside.
The riverfront development plan will restore and conserve the biotic heritage of Yamuna, said Neemo Dhar,spokesperson,DDA.
BAMBOO FOUNDATION
With construction prohibited on Yamunas banks,DDA plans to set up structures like bridges,seating areas,shelters,machans,naturopathy huts,eating areas and tree house using bamboo Bamboo will be planted on the banks of the river because of its ability to grow up to four feet a day without any fertilizers Eco-skywalk will be created as part of interactive biodiversity zone on the southern side of DND Flyway amid natural wetlands and grassland.It will be an elevated bamboo structure with a walking area and pause points for bird watching Zen Garden will be a spiritual wellness area located north of DND.Herbal garden,aroma garden,meditation areas,naturopathy and yoga huts will come up here
RIVER SIDEWALK
SITTING AREA
BRIDGES
NATUROPATHY HUT
ROCK GARDEN
SCULPTURES
WORKSHOPS
PROTECTIVE BIODIVERSITY ZONE |
Areas with existing wetlands and rich flora and fauna of river basin will be developed into core biodiversity zone.It will have thick and diverse plantation and even wildlife to achieve effects of a natural ecosystem
INTERACTIVE BIODIVERSITY ZONE |
It will have a moderate biodiversity layer and act as a buffer to the core zone.People will be allowed to enter for camping,exploring nature & ecological study
PUBLIC RECREATION ZONE |
Areas close to habitation with easy access will be developed for recreation.DDA has proposed to build playgrounds,theme parks,riverside promenade,orchards,exhibition areas and an informal bazaar
Met dept to change official Monsoon dates
Met dept to change official Monsoon dates
Neha Lalchandani, TNN Oct 4, 2011, 04.52AM IST
Tags:Scientist|IMD|Ajit Tyagi
NEW DELHI: Armed with exhaustive data on rainfall from several more stations in the past 30 years, the Indian Meteorological Department is working on an analysis that will see a change in the date of monsoon onset and withdrawal over the country. Since 2006, the monsoon's retreat has been commencing between September 21 and September 30 against a normal date of September 1.
A report on India's climate profile by IMD director-general Ajit Tyagi and Dr S D Attri reveals that between 1941 and 2000, there has been a slight shift in monsoon activity with late onset and late withdrawal and a general increase in duration by about a week. More evidently, as IMD set specific criteria for onset and withdrawal four-five years ago, making it mandatory for all conditions to be met before they declare onset or withdrawal, the withdrawal date has shifted by two-three weeks.
"As we have started following the criteria, we have new dates for onset and withdrawal. We will have to test these against the normal, work out variability and see if changes are required. The process has started but we need to have experts ratify our findings before the formal dates can be declared. The process may take a year or so," said Tyagi.
Between 1971 and 2000, Jammu and Kashmir saw a standard deviation of 14 days in the onset of monsoon from the normal date. West and northwest India have seen onset delayed by an average of 1.5 weeks.
Withdrawal dates have also shifted by about one to 1.5 weeks. "A general late onset suggests a shift in the monsoon activity. The duration of the southwest monsoon has also been found to be higher in all meteorological sub-divisions in the past 60 years," said Tyagi.
Dr M Rajeevan, scientist and monsoon expert with the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory, said it was high time that IMD proposed such changes. "The normal dates for monsoon activity were set several years ago and there has been a marked change in circulation, dates etc that should now be updated. For instance, onset of monsoon has been steadily getting delayed over the eastern parts of central India. Such changes are due to a natural variability and not a result of global warming," he said.
Officials also said a change had also been recorded in the total rainfall across various regions, though there had not been a significant change in the overall rainfall for the country. "In the four months of monsoon, we have seen large regional variation with east getting lesser and west getting more rainfall," said Tyagi.
In June, west and southwest India have recorded a significant increase in rainfall while central and eastern parts have shown a significant decrease. In July, central and peninsular India have shown a decrease while northeast India has shown a significant increase.
August has shown a significant increase in rain over Konkan and Goa, Marathwada, Madhya Maharashtra, Vidarbha, west Madhya Pradesh, west Uttar Pradesh and Telengana while September has shown a decrease in average rainfall over Vidarbha, Marathwada and Telengana and an increase for sub-Himalayan West Bengal.
Neha Lalchandani, TNN Oct 4, 2011, 04.52AM IST
Tags:Scientist|IMD|Ajit Tyagi
NEW DELHI: Armed with exhaustive data on rainfall from several more stations in the past 30 years, the Indian Meteorological Department is working on an analysis that will see a change in the date of monsoon onset and withdrawal over the country. Since 2006, the monsoon's retreat has been commencing between September 21 and September 30 against a normal date of September 1.
A report on India's climate profile by IMD director-general Ajit Tyagi and Dr S D Attri reveals that between 1941 and 2000, there has been a slight shift in monsoon activity with late onset and late withdrawal and a general increase in duration by about a week. More evidently, as IMD set specific criteria for onset and withdrawal four-five years ago, making it mandatory for all conditions to be met before they declare onset or withdrawal, the withdrawal date has shifted by two-three weeks.
"As we have started following the criteria, we have new dates for onset and withdrawal. We will have to test these against the normal, work out variability and see if changes are required. The process has started but we need to have experts ratify our findings before the formal dates can be declared. The process may take a year or so," said Tyagi.
Between 1971 and 2000, Jammu and Kashmir saw a standard deviation of 14 days in the onset of monsoon from the normal date. West and northwest India have seen onset delayed by an average of 1.5 weeks.
Withdrawal dates have also shifted by about one to 1.5 weeks. "A general late onset suggests a shift in the monsoon activity. The duration of the southwest monsoon has also been found to be higher in all meteorological sub-divisions in the past 60 years," said Tyagi.
Dr M Rajeevan, scientist and monsoon expert with the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory, said it was high time that IMD proposed such changes. "The normal dates for monsoon activity were set several years ago and there has been a marked change in circulation, dates etc that should now be updated. For instance, onset of monsoon has been steadily getting delayed over the eastern parts of central India. Such changes are due to a natural variability and not a result of global warming," he said.
Officials also said a change had also been recorded in the total rainfall across various regions, though there had not been a significant change in the overall rainfall for the country. "In the four months of monsoon, we have seen large regional variation with east getting lesser and west getting more rainfall," said Tyagi.
In June, west and southwest India have recorded a significant increase in rainfall while central and eastern parts have shown a significant decrease. In July, central and peninsular India have shown a decrease while northeast India has shown a significant increase.
August has shown a significant increase in rain over Konkan and Goa, Marathwada, Madhya Maharashtra, Vidarbha, west Madhya Pradesh, west Uttar Pradesh and Telengana while September has shown a decrease in average rainfall over Vidarbha, Marathwada and Telengana and an increase for sub-Himalayan West Bengal.
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