Question

Using data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD, https://mausam.imd.gov.in/) or newspaper records, find the average monsoon rainfall (June – September, or the local season) for your city or district for 5 years during two decades, such as the 1980s and 2020s. Note any trend you may find (increasing or decreasing, or the total number of days) with heavy rain (>50 mm). How can this be connected to the warmer Arabian Sea temperatures or changes in land use (forests to farms to cities) as discussed in the chapter?

Answer 1

City: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Monsoon Rainfall (June–September)

Period	Average Rainfall
1981–2010 (IMD historical average)	2,260 mm
2020–2024 (5-year average)	3,111 mm

Sources: IMD historical records and newspaper rainfall data. The historical period is a 30-year average, not five years from the 1980s.

India Meteorological Department+1

Trend: Recent monsoon rainfall is higher than the historical average, although the number of days with rainfall above 50 mm was not verified.

Reasons: Warmer Arabian Sea temperatures increase evaporation and atmospheric moisture, which can intensify rainfall. Deforestation and urbanisation reduce water absorption and increase flooding.

Conclusion:

Mumbai's recent rainfall has been higher, while rising sea temperatures and changes in land use may increase heavy rainfall impacts and flooding.