Winter likely to be colder this season, says IMD chief

Winter could be colder this season due to prevailing La Nina conditions, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. Quoting Mohapatra, a PTI news report said the country can face a chilly winter if the prevailing conditions last.

Mohapatra clarified that there should not be any impression the climate change leads to rising temperatures. On the contrary, it leads to erratic weather, he told the news agency. A drop in temperature may not be a good sign in the wake of the Covid-19 situation in the country.

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"As weak La Nina condition is prevailing, we can expect more cold this year. The El Nino and La Nina conditions play a dominant role if you consider the large scale factor for the occurrence of cold wave conditions," Mohapatra said.

Mohapatra’s statement came while he was addressing a webinar on ‘Cold Wave Risk Reduction’ organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

"La Nina conditions are favourable for cold wave conditions, while El Nino conditions are unfavourable for it," he added.

Mohapatra went on to say that Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are among the states which mostly witness deaths due to intense cold waves.

Mohapatra highlighted that regions along the north and northwest such as Punjab, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh are also prone to cold waves, which result in deaths.

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It may be noted that the IMD released a winter forecast every year in November where it gives predictions on the severity of the winter season, starting from December to February.

La Nina is related to the cooling of the Pacific waters, while the El Nino is linked to its heating. Both factors are believed to have an impact on the Indian monsoon.