Hyderabad: A recent study by the India Meteorological Department‘s (IMD) Meteorological Centre in Hyderabad has revealed significant shifts in the city’s weather patterns over the past four decades, raising concerns about future water security and rising temperature extremes.The study, titled Climate Variability and Rainfall Patterns in Hyderabad: A 42-Year Statistical Analysis, examined climate data from 1981 to 2022. It found that Hyderabad, which once experienced a well-defined four-season cycle, is now facing increasingly unpredictable seasonal patterns. Both maximum and minimum temperatures have shown a consistent upward trend, with summers becoming noticeably more intense.The research also identified a decline in monsoon rainfall. Traditionally, the June-to-Sept monsoon season accounted for nearly 80% of Hyderabad’s annual precipitation. However, the study observed a downward trend in rainfall during this period. This decline, combined with increased variability in pre-monsoon and winter rainfall, has made both the timing and quantity of rainfall less predictable.Dr V Guhan, a project scientist involved in the study, attributed these changes largely to global climate change, which significantly impacted Hyderabad’s local environment. He noted that rising temperatures have altered the water cycle, particularly through changes in evapotranspiration—the process by which water moves from land to the atmosphere.The study warns that this growing variability created cascading effects on the region’s water resources, increasing the likelihood of both droughts and floods. The study pointed out that such changes pose a direct threat to the local economy, agricultural productivity, and overall quality of life, especially for communities dependent on stable water availability for domestic and industrial use.Dr Dharma Raju, a scientist at the Meteorological Centre, emphasised the urgent need for continuous monitoring of meteorological data. He stressed that understanding long-term climate trends is essential for developing effective adaptation strategies.He also highlighted the importance of improved water management practices to help the city cope with uncertain rainfall patterns. The study’s findings, he added, provide a crucial foundation for policymakers to make informed decisions on water use and urban planning in the face of an increasingly extreme climate.
