Madden Julian Oscillation influencing extreme rainfall in Kerala, say CUSAT researchers
The Hindu
Active occurrence of this phenomenon during September-November may have the potential to delay the withdrawal of Indian summer monsoon
A new study by researchers at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has showed that Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) can influence extreme rainfall over Kerala in the monsoon season.
MJO is an eastward propagating convective system that passes over the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with a periodicity of 30–60 days and it influences most of the tropical weather systems. “Around 70 active MJO days occurred over the equatorial Indian Ocean during 2019- 2021 in the months from June to August,” said Dr. Ajil Kottayil, scientist at the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research, CUSAT, who led the study. K. Prajwal, research scholar in the university, and Dr. Prince Xavier of UK’s Met Office were part of the research team that analysed meteorological datasets over a period of two decades since 2000.
“MJO can cause an anomalous change in the rainfall activity over Kerala. It has both active and suppressed phases and its strong active phase over the equatorial Indian Ocean causes anomalous increased rainfall activity, the impact of which is highly devastating,” he added. The study found that active MJO phases can generate organised deep convective cloud clusters (cumulonimbus clouds) over Kerala, which can result in very heavy rainfall over a short duration of time.
Also read: Drains in Kochi not equipped to deal with extreme rain, says Minister
The extreme rainfall events occurring over Kerala coincides with the occurrence of active MJO phases over the equatorial Indian ocean. The occurrence of active MJO during September-November may have the potential of delaying the withdrawal of Indian summer monsoon, according to the researchers. Unlike extreme rainfall events associated with monsoon depressions, MJO-assisted extremes are more or less of a local nature and of lesser duration. The active MJO does not necessarily result in extreme rainfall, if its amplitudes are weak, they said.
The study has been published in Elsevier’s Atmospheric Research journal.
Odisha Governor designate credits Atal Bihari Vajpayee for Kargil war success, golden quadrilateral, tribal ministry, and more.
Four years after the Union government launched the Svamitva scheme to digitise property records in rural areas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute 58 lakh property cards providing ‘Record of Rights’ to owners in over 50,000 villages across 12 States on Friday at a virtual event
M. Suhaib, Additional District Judge, Kozhikode, suspended for alleged misconduct towards female court employee in official chamber.
Foundation laid for new auditorium at Sivakasi Government Arts and Science College with financial support from local businesses.
Telangana to introduce new clean energy policy to meet rising energy demands sustainably, aiming for 20,000 MW renewable capacity by 2030.
The girl, who was admitted to Aster CMI Hospital with alarming breathlessness and significant pallor, was diagnosed with Wegener’s Granulomatosis (now known as Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis or GPA), a rare autoimmune condition that causes spontaneous bleeding in the lungs, leading to acute respiratory failure.
Puzhal prison officials investigate fire accident that destroyed old files and cardboard boxes, possibly caused by prisoners.
ACB files case against IPS officer N. Sanjay in Andhra Pradesh. The official is accused of manipulating the tender processes for awarding contract for development and maintenance of AGNI-NOC portal, and conducting awareness meetings for SC/STs. It is alleged that the total value of properties stolen, or involved in the case is estimated at ₹1,75,86,600.
The holiday season spanning from Christmas to New Year has seen a surge in tourists visiting Mysuru with the hospitality sector announcing 100 per cent occupancy for the entire duration.
BJP leader and former MP, Prathap Simha, has backed the Mysuru City Corporation’s (MCC) proposal to name a stretch of KRS road in the city after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Tourists flock to Visakhapatnam and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts for holidays, leading to full occupancy in hotels and attractions.