Assessment of climatic extremes over Northeast and West Coast regions of India

Abstract

Extreme weather and climate variability have become a subject of big concern worldwide. In response, efforts have been made to evaluate the trends in climatic parameters in two geographical regions of India – Northeast (NER) and West coast region (WCR) for the period 1901-2009. This paper studies trends in cyclones and depressions, floods and droughts, thunderstorms, hailstorms, the number of fog and poor visibility days in the research areas. A detailed analysis indicates a mixed trend for cyclones and depressions, flood and drought events. Moderate and severe cold waves also show a significant decreasing trend. The same behaviour is observed in the frequency of heat waves too. There is a significant increase in thunderstorm and hailstorm frequency. During the winter season, fog and poor visibility days show a positive correlation in Imphal, Kailashahar and Agartala. It can be concluded that in the midst of global warming and climate change, the climate response is mixed for both regions.