Droughts will be more regular said Dr P.V. Joseph, atmospheric scientist and former director of the Indian meteorological department.
Presenting a paper on the role of the Indian Ocean in climate change,’ Dr Joseph said that droughts in the country were increasing and the country would face frequent droughts in the coming years.
The two-day national seminar on ‘climate change and variability’, which was organised by the department of atmospheric sciences of the Cochin University of Science and Technology, began here on Monday.
“The occurrence of droughts during the recent 50 years is rapidly increasing,” he said.
There are two kinds of climate changes- decadal and long-term, increasing or decreasing.
Decadal climate change in the ocean causes a change in the monsoon pattern and climate.
The ocean plays a significant role in controlling the monsoon and drought, said Dr Joseph. There was a rapid dip in monsoon depression during the last 50 years.
“Ocean warming has been rapid during the recent 50 years which has affected monsoon depression. The occurrence of heavy rainfall for the duration of one day is increasing while normal light rainfall has decreased over the years, which is a danger signal,” he said.
The seminar was inaugurated by the varsity vice-chancellor, Dr. Ramachandran Thekkedath.