Manipur reeling under climate change spell ? Experts predict more heatwaves, floods and droughts-I
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 26 2025: Consistently, Manipur has experienced heat-waves, drought-like situations and floods over the decades, and the frequency and intensity of these extreme weather events occurring have increased in the recent years.

But what brought these changes and what is responsible for such extreme conditions ? .

Experts say climate change is driving such changes with human hands and feet on the accelerator ! .

Climate change is real, and it is ongoing and continuing at a much higher human induced level.

It is affecting every part of the globe, and Manipur too will face more extreme weather conditions in the coming years, say experts.

Over the decades, the average temperature has risen in Manipur, and it has been projected to increase by 1.7 °C by mid 2030s.The State is also expected to experience a 15-35% increase in intensity of rainfall by 2030 and fewer days of rainfall in a year, resulting in frequent floods and drought-like situations�which ultimately would affect public health, agriculture sector and the overall economy.

"Extreme weather events, heatwaves, floods, droughts etc are results of climate change.

When such extreme events are looming large, steps to mitigate climate change at global as well as at the local level have become increasingly important," says Dr T Brajakumar Singh, Director, Environment & Climate Change.

Earth is only one, and accelerated climate change--global warming is threatening its future.

To fight it, legislators, Government authorities and people must understand it first, and take the responsibility collectively to preserve the Earth for future generations, says Dr Brajakumar.

So, what is climate change and global warming? .

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.

The shifts can be natural, but since the 1800s, human activities have been the driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun's heat and raising temperatures.

This heating up of earth due to increasing concentration of greenhouse gases that trap radiation is referred to as global warming.

The main greenhouse gases that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane.

The year 2024 was the warmest since 1880 .

The average global temperature in 2024 was 15.10°C, which was 0.12°C higher than 2023, and 1.60°C warmer than the pre-industrial level (before 1750) .

The past ten years from 2015 to 2024 have been the warmest on record.

Impact of climate change in Manipur

Along with the rest of the world, Manipur too is experiencing an increase in the average temperatures.

Temperature

According to a report in the Manipur State Action Plan for Climate Change (MSAPCC), published in 2013, Manipur experienced an increase in both the maximum and minimum temperatures from 1954 to 2011 (57 years) .

When the maximum temperature increased from 26.5 °C to 27.3 °C, the minimum temperature increased from 13.8 °C to 15.3 °C, says the report.

"Manipur is among several places around the globe which have seen consistent increase in surface temperature.

The State is projected to experience an increase in annual mean temperature above 1.7°C by mid 2030s," says Dr Brajakumar.

Significantly, south-western parts of the State--Jiribam, Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Imphal East, Imphal West, Chandel, some parts of Tamenglong and Chandel have experienced an increase in both minimum and maximum temperature above 1.75°C and 1.5°C respectively in the last 10 decades, says the report in MSAPCC.

In May 2024, a heatwave struck Manipur and Jiribam recorded a scorching 43 °C.During the same month, Noney recorded 40 °C while the temperatures in Imphal East, Imphal West, Chandel and Tengnoupal were relatively high.

In April 2023, Tengnoupal recorded 40 °C breaking a consistent temperature of 39.9 °C recorded in the previous years-2022 and 2021 .

In May 2019, Chandel recorded 39-40 °C .

Rainfall

Manipur enjoys an average annual rainfall of around 1425.63 mm, but it is projected to experience an increase in rainfall of around 15-35% by 2030s.From 1987 to 2020, there has been a 5 percent increase in precipitation (rainfall) in northeastern districts of Chandel, Ukhrul and Senapati, and a marginal decline in South-West and Central districts--Bishnupur, Churachand-pur, Thoubal, Imphal East.

"While the rainfall is projected to increase, the number of rainy days is expected to fall�meaning there will be more intense rainfall in a short period of time which often causes flash floods.

There will be more rainfall but there will also be water scarcity and other health issues that come with natural disasters like floods," says Environment and Climate Change Director Dr T Brajakumar.

Manipur is vulnerable to water-induced disasters due to its location in the eastern Himalayan, says the Director.

Manipur has seen frequent episodes of floods in 1966, 1976, 1983, 1991, 1993, 2000, 2004, 2010, 2017, and most recently in 2022 and 2024 .

The State has also experienced frequent drought-like situations in 1963, 1972, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1992, 2006, 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2021 .

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