Hyderabad: Rainfall during monsoons could decrease gradually over the next few decades in the city, though annual rainfall would increase by as much as 10 per cent. Maximum temperatures could also rise by 1 to 1.5ºC by 2060 in the outskirts of the city.
Scientists from the (CRIDA) have predicted the climatic conditions of the southern Telangana region surrounding Hyderabad using a weather generator called LARS WG. They used the weather data between 1980 and 2010 as the base and weather of three locations, Rajendranagar, Hayathnagar and Yacharam, was predicted using the generator.
Scientists found that the annual rainfall at these places would increase by at least 5 per cent by 2030 and 10 per cent by 2060. Interestingly, though an increase in mean annual rainfall is expected, the average seasonal rainfall would reduce by as much.
Seasonal rainfall in Hyderabad is received during the monsoon season from June till September and much of the agriculture in T is dependent on it. Scientists said that the average seasonal rainfall would reduce by at least 4 per cent by 2030 and by 10 per cent by 2060.
“In future, the model predictions indicate that the average annual rainfall is expected to increase in all the mandals with decreased average seasonal and weekly rainfall,” stated the study by Dr K.S. Reddy, principal scientist, CRIDA.
Maximum temperatures would also increase by 1º C by 2060 and by about 0.4ºC by 2030. “The result indicates, the enhanced irrigation water requirement in future in the southern T region and may increase the groundwater exploitation,” stated the report.
