1 degree Celsius jump since 1980

Marginal increase in average temperatures may jeopardise water security

The Indian Meteorological Department forecasted recently that the temperature during summer months are expected to be above average in the coming summer months.

 The marginal increase in average temperatures, experts opine, would result in a cascade affect, which might jeopardise water security.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Director of Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Cell (KSNMDC), V S Prakash said that the average temperature in February, March and April was going to be above normal by 0.5 per cent. 

The temperature rise will add to the pressure on water bodies. The amount of water required to irrigate crops due to the marginal rise in temperature will be higher by about 10 per cent, he said. Apart from this, consumption of power and drinking water will also rise, he added.

NASA maps

An interactive map by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), available at www.warmingworld.newscientistapps.com, also shows that the region is witnessing a steady increase in temperature and it has been attributed to global warming.

The graphic which displays results from a global analysis of surface temperatures from 1880 to the present day, shows that the average temperature of Mysore and other parts of Karnataka, has risen by one degree celsius, in the past four decades.

Data available at the website shows that average temperature of Mysore, witnessed a spike during the second half of 1970s, after which the average temperature has been increasing consistently overall, despite the annual fluctuations. For instance, variation from average temperature in 1881 was -0.26 degree celsius; +0.40 degree celsius in 1980; and +0.81 degree celsius in 2012. Data for other parts of the State, such as Bangalore, Mangalore, Gulbarga and others also show similar rise in average temperatures.

Prakash said that though there is a global consensus that temperature is likely to increase in the future, region specific studies on the same are yet to take place.A scientist at KSNMDC, said that global warming was a real phenomenon and was also one of the factors contributing towards ground water depletion.

“In Karnataka this is the third consecutive year where the State has received less than average rainfall. The effect of temperature rise will be more in taluks, which the State government has declared drought hit,” he said. Incidentally, four of the seven taluks of the district have been declared as drought hit by the State government.