Skymet weather

Warming-driven extreme weather to inflate food prices in coming decades

New Delhi, Global warming and extreme weather will join hands to create devastating food price shocks around the world in coming decades. According to an estimate by Oxfam, due to climate change and other factors, the price of corn could increase to a staggering 500% by 2030. The agency had previously warned that corn would see a 177% rise in price by 2030. But the further modeling of the impact of warming-driven extreme weather shocks forced Oxfam to revise its earlier conclusion.

The new report, Extreme Weather, Extreme Prices by Oxfam highlights how extreme weather events such as drought and floods could drive up food prices in the future. In its new release, Oxfam explains that the food prices spike will get worse as extreme weather caused by climate change devastates food production.

Here are some of the other highlights of the Oxfam new release:

 

  • Even under a conservative scenario, another US drought in 2030 could raise the price of maize by as much as 140 per cent over and above the average price of food in 2030, which is already likely to be double today’s prices.
  • Drought and flooding in southern Africa could increase the consumer price of maize and other coarse grains by as much as 120 per cent. Price spikes of this magnitude today would mean the cost of a 25kg bag of corn meal – a staple which feeds poor families across Africa for about two weeks – would rocket from around $18 to $40.
  • A nationwide drought in India and extensive flooding across South East Asia could see the world market price of rice increase by 25 per cent. This could see domestic spikes of up to 43 per cent on top of the longer term price rises in rice importing countries of such as Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country.

Such price spikes would be a massive blow to the world’s poorest who today spend up to 75 per cent of their income on food according to the new release.

Cloudy conditions, light rain expected in Colombo during the India-Australia match

New Delhi, The conditions are expected to be cloudy during the evening encounter between India and Australia in the world cup T20 match in Colombo. There are 60 % to 70 % chance of rain but that would be in the form of drizzle or light shower. The moderate southwesterly winds with a speed of around 20 kmph would be blowing over the Sri Lankan capital at the time of the match. The temperature would be around 27 degrees. The humidity level would be around 75%.
A couple of thunderstorms could also affect the first match of the day between Pakistan and South Africa, which will start by 3:30 pm. During this period, the maximum temperature would be around 31 degrees. At this time, the sky will be partly cloudy and the southwesterly winds with the speed of 14-15 kmph would be blowing over the western province city during the match. The humidity level would be between 70%-90% throughout the day.

Indian Ocean April 2012 mega-quakes “the most spectacular example” of departing Indo-Australian plate

New Delhi, According to the three papers published online today in Nature Magazine reveal that the geological strain splitting the Indo-Australian plate apart may be the reason that caused the subsequent 8.6 and 8.2 magnitude earthquakes which broke along numerous faults and unleashed aftershocks for six days afterward.
Matthiaas Delescluse, the lead author of the first paper and a geophysicist at the Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris terms these quakes as the most spectacular example of the process of breaking of the sub-plates. He also claims it as the clearest example of newly formed plate boundaries in the Indian Ocean. The pair of massive earthquakes that rocked the Indian Ocean on April 11, 2012 may signal the latest step in the formation of a new plate boundary within the Earth’s surface.
The 9.1 magnitude tremor in 2004 that triggered a massive tsunami across the Indian Ocean and the other one in 2005 may be precursors to the break up of plates happened on April 11 this year by adding to pent-up stresses in the plate’s middle region.
Most large earthquake occurs when two plates collide at their boundaries, and one plate slides beneath the other. By contrast, when plates or portions of plates slip horizontally along a fault line, this usually results in smaller, 'strike-slip' earthquakes. But, the first 1April 11 event defied expectations as the largest strike-slip earthquake on record, and one of the strongest to occur away from any conventional plate boundaries.
According to the previous theories of plate tectonics, the Indo-Australian plate began to deform internally about 10 million years ago. As the plate moved northwards, the region near India crunched against the Eurasian plate, thrusting the Himalayas up and slowing India down. Most scientists think that the Australian portion forged ahead, creating twisting tensions that are splitting the plate apart in the Indian Ocean.

Pleasant weather expected for today’s matches in world cup T20

New Delhi, The weather is expected to remain pleasant over Pallekele, Kandy in central Sri Lanka during both the matches that are to be played today. The host Sri Lanka will start its semifinal berth campaign against New Zealand at 3.30 p.m. during which the maximum temperature would be around 30 degrees. The southwesterly winds with a speed of 15 kmph would be blowing over Kandy during the afternoon and the sky would also become clear by that time.
But, the sky will turn partly cloudy by the evening, when England will take on West Indies in the second match at 7.30 p.m. The temperature would be around 25 degrees. The southwesterly winds with the same speed of 15 kmph would be blowing over Kandy during this period. The rains have taken toll on some of the matches played during the first leg of the tournament that led to criticism of the organizers for choosing monsoon dates for the competition.

Heavy rain likely over northwest, central England by Sunday

New Delhi, The Atlantic front will bring wet and windy weather and some heavy downpour for the west of Scotland by Sunday morning. This rainfall would move south during the day and reach central Britain in the afternoon. Though, the eastern parts of England would escape the rain as very little of it would reach here. The gusty Southwesterly winds would be developing in the most areas during the day.
The weekend is expected to be cool but the south of England will stay dry and see some sunshine as a ridge of high pressure building from the west and then sinks south to central Europe. However, a few showers would lash the northwest on Saturday drying out later in the day. The sky remain clear and with light winds over the south, gardeners are warned to beware of the risk of ground frost by Sunday morning.
The persistent heavy rain that has submerged northern and western Britain is now turning more showery as the low pressure area gradually fills and moves south. The showers have mainly happened over the south on Wednesday with a slowly drying out process over northern England.
During the next twenty four to forty eight hours, the low pressure area will be down over France and the Netherlands with very little shower over UK. A rather cloudy day and cool gentle northwest winds. An approaching Atlantic front will brings increasing clouds across the northwest region and some patchy light rain to western Scotland later in the day turning, a little more consistent by the evening.
A fairly narrow band of showers would happen over the southeast region by late afternoon as the weakening front would move in these parts. The weather is mainly clear but the northwest and especially western England would receive showers. Heavy showers are also expected at a few places for the western Highlands with a little snow over the highest tops.

Weak 2012 Monsoon bids adieu to Delhi

New Delhi, With an overall seasonal deficiency of 15 percent, the southwest monsoon left the national capital Delhi on Tuesday. The total rainfall Delhi recorded during the period from June last week to till the date of withdrawal is 85.4 percent of the normal rainfall.

The rainfall showed large variation across nine districts with south Delhi recording 92% while West Delhi recording only 29%. Only two districts recorded normal rainfall while five districts remained deficient. The other two districts received scanty rainfall in the range of -60% and -99%.

The daily variation between rainfall in such a small area is common but for such a huge difference to exist at the end of the season indicates that the monsoon had been weak over the region.

For such a massive difference to exist at the end of the season is not common and this shows that monsoon was not strong over northwest India, especially over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab. With a 45% deficiency over Punjab and a 38% deficiency over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, the west and northwest districts experienced a moderate drought.

Extreme hot or cold temperatures can hike danger of heart attack

New Delhi, A new research has claimed that the extreme hot or cold temperatures could increase risk of premature death due to cardiovascular disease. Researchers examined the association between daily averages temperature and years of life lost owing to cardiovascular disease. Years of life lost measured premature death by estimating years of life lost according to average life expectancy.

The outcomes of the study are important in a sense, how the body responds to temperate extremes, the growing obesity trend and earth's climate changes. With increasing rates of obesity and related conditions including diabetes, more people would be vulnerable to extreme temperatures, which could raise the future disease burden of extreme temperatures.

The research is based on the collected data on daily temperature in Brisbane between 1996 and 2004 that was compared to documented cardiovascular-related deaths during the same period. Brisbane has hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters.

The average daily mean temperature was 20.5 degrees Celsius, with the coldest 1 percent of days 11.7 C characterized as cold spells and the hottest 1 percent 29.2 C heat waves. Per 1 million people, 72 years of life were lost per day due to cardiovascular-related disease. The risk of premature Cardiovascular-related disease death raised more when extreme heat was sustained for two or more days.

Kashmir snow to vanish by 2080s

New Delhi, A new research by the climate scientists at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore claims all-India mean temperature rise could reach up to 4.8 degrees by 2080s, if global CO2 emissions continue unabated. The new research also says India would be warmer by 1.7 to 2 degree Celsius as early as the 2030s. The research also indicates 4-5% rise in rainfall by the end of the century.

In terms of long term projections, the study reveals that the mean warming is likely to be between 3.3-4.8 degrees Celsius by the 2080s and the precipitation is expected to increase by 6-14 % towards the end of the century. The north Indian states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, national capital Delhi and Haryana would see higher levels of warming compared to the rest of the country.

The findings are based on robust climate models. In fact, for the first time, averages of 18 climate models have been used to arrive at the findings, which will have a smaller margin of error. These models have managed to predict our past correctly.

Jammu & Kashmir and a few other parts of the Himalayan region will be the worst affected by warming. The region is projected to experience the highest mean warming up to 8 degrees by 2080s. In such circumstances, there will be no snow in Kashmir by the 2080s.

Climate change's catastrophic effect, it seems, is here faster than anyone had expected. A two degrees rise in the average global temperature is considered the danger line beyond which climate change will have intense impacts. Till now, the general belief was that there is enough time to avert what scientists call 'catastrophic' climate change. Perhaps not any more.

Thunderstorm, showers expected during Pakistan and Bangladesh world T20 tie

New Delhi,  After beating New Zealand in the first match, Pakistan still has to defeat the weather and the Bangladesh team to seal a place in the super eight categories. The weather may prove problematic for the Pakistan team as a couple of showers or thundershowers are expected over Pallekele, the match venue in Kandy during the next twenty four hours.

During the next twenty four hours, the mercury in Kandy will reach up to 28 degrees while the minimum would remain at 19 degrees but there is a 60 percent chance of rain during the evening hours when the match will be played. During the day, the south southwesterly winds would prevail over the central city while during the evening and the night the winds would remain southwesterly with a speed of 10 kmph.

The International Cricket Council has already been criticized for the selection of monsoon dates for the world cup. The weather has already affected two matches in the tournament, first it interrupted the game between host Sri Lanka and South Africa and then it helped Australia securing a game against tournament favorite West Indies.

Cool mornings over Northwest India

New Delhi, Temperatures are heading towards higher thirties over the Northwest India. The dry north westerly winds are making their presence felt across the northwest region as the dry winds are increasingly taking away the remnants of the moisture residing here since June last. With this, the morning is becoming cooler and pleasant compared to the one prevailing over the region since onset of the monsoon in the subcontinent. While moving eastwards, such weather would further engulf remaining parts of the region.

The coziness in the weather over the northwest region could be experienced in Delhi where in spite of maximum temperature of 35 Degrees and bright sunshine with open sky, it remains much more comfortable compared to what it was a week ago. The humidity in the air has dropped significantly over Delhi. The humidity level has come down to 50-52 percent. With the minimum temperature of around 22-23 degrees, morning is much cooler.

The other cities in the region like Amritsar and Chandigarh are also starting to witness cooler mornings. The minimum temperature in Amritsar is expected to be around 22 while the maximum would be around 33 degrees. In Chandigarh the minimum temperature would be 22 and the maximum would be around 32 degrees. The northwesterly winds have brought down the humidity levels in the range of 50-60 percent.

Rains to decrease over northeast; dry weather extending its grip over east and central India

New Delhi,  After receiving rains for almost a week, the eastern and northeastern parts of the country would see decrease in the rainfall activities during the next twenty four to forty eight hours. Rains are likely over Orissa and north Andhra Pradesh during the next twenty four hours. Isolated showers would also occur along the West coast during the next twenty four hours.

The north south trough extended from sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim to southwest Bay of Bengal across Orissa and Andhra Pradesh has moved and now extends from Assam and Meghalaya to the southwest of Bengal across the north and the westcentral Bay of Bengal. Rains are likely at many places over the northeast states during the next twenty four hours.

The persisting system would also give rain at a few places over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the next twenty four hours after which showers would reduce significantly over the region.

The prevailing dry weather and the absence of rain for the last few days would help the announcement of the retreat of monsoon from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh,Delhi and West Uttar Pradesh during the next twenty four to forty eight hours.

Some of the parts over western Rajasthan, Kutch, east Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, entire Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand have already seen the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon. Rain could happen over Jammu & Kashmir and higher areas of Himachal Pradesh under the influence of a feeble Western Disturbance over Jammu & Kashmir.

Along the west coast, the seasonal offshore trough has been mitigated by the north westerly winds yet they are coming here after crossing over the Arabian Sea. So, light rain at isolated places is expected along the coast during the next twenty four hours.

Along the east coast, a trough is extending from Gangetic West Bengal to the south Andhra coast. This will bring rain at a few places over Gangetic West Bengal, Orissa, South Chhattisgarh,Vidarbha, coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh in the north and Telangana during the next twenty four hours. While rain can be expected at one or two places over east Madhya Pradesh, Madhya Maharashtra, Rayalseema and Tamil Nadu during this period.

Monsoon left Delhi with 17% rain deficit

New Delhi, Friday, September 21, As the north northwesterly winds set in over Delhi, indicating an end of this year monsoon season, the capital has been left high and dry as the rains have been as scanty as 17 below the normal rainfall.

During the period from last week of June when monsoon sets in over the capital, till mid-September the date when it retreats from the region, Delhi has garner 554.3 mm of rain against the normal rainfall of 672.9 mm.  In the month of June, when Monsoon arrives, Delhi registered only 15.50 mm of rain against the normal rainfall of 54.9 mm. During July, Delhi got 110.4 mm of rain compared to the normal rainfall of 231.5 mm.

The month of August and September saw revival of monsoon in the country and Delhi too received the major amount of rainfall during these months. In August, the national capital recorded a massive 363.20 mm of rain against the normal rainfall of 258.7 mm. In September too, rains keep on lashing the capital, giving it 127.8 mm of rain above the normal of 55.20 mm. But in spite of excessive rain during the later months of the monsoon season, Delhi failed to make up for the scarcity it carried throughout June and July.







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