Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

Western Disturbances (WDs) are extratropical cyclonic storms originating over the Mediterranean Sea, traveling eastwards across West Asia and the Himalayan region, bringing winter precipitation primarily to northwestern India. These weather systems are vital for India’s winter cropping pattern and water availability.

Body

Opportunity for Indian Agriculture:

• Source of Winter Rainfall: Winter WDs are further known to contribute to approximately 40%–50% of the total annual precipitation over the western Himalayas.
  • This rainfall supports the Rabi crops- wheat, barley, and mustard, critical for India’s food security.
• Supporting Food Security: The Rabi season contributes more than 60% of India’s total food grain production. Adequate WD precipitation ensures soil moisture recharge necessary for sowing and sustaining these crops through critical growth phases.
• Groundwater Recharge: Winter precipitation from WDs replenishes shallow aquifers and groundwater, crucial in arid and semi-arid regions of northwest India. Given groundwater irrigates more than half of the Rabi crops, WDs indirectly support irrigation needs.
• Climatic Cooling and Frost Mitigation: WDs induce lower temperatures and cloud cover, reducing frost risk in the Himalayan foothills, thus protecting sensitive crops and orchards.

Variability and Associated Risks:

• Erratic Occurrence and Drought: WDs show variability in their frequency, timing, and intensity, driven by larger climate phenomena such as El Niño, Arctic Oscillation , and North Atlantic Oscillation, adversely impacting Rabi crops.
  • Deficient or delayed western disturbance rainfall can cause drought-like conditions, lower soil moisture, and reduced sowing, ultimately resulting in crop failure and decreased foodgrain production.
• Flooding and Crop Damage: Conversely, intense WDs may cause excessive rainfall or hailstorms, leading to waterlogging, damage to mature crops, and delayed harvest. Flooding in Punjab and Haryana due to heavy WD precipitation has resulted in crop losses.
• Impact on Livestock and Farming Practices: Variability in winter rains affects fodder availability and pasture quality, influencing livestock productivity in rural areas dependent on rainfed agriculture.

Conclusion

Effective adaptation through improved forecasting, water management, insurance, and resilient agricultural practices is essential to harness the benefits and mitigate the risks posed by Western Disturbances to India’s agrarian economy.