Darjeeling to defeat Delhi on temperature rise

Darjeeling may have a temperature rise of 5.4 degree during 2081-2100 compared to 1850-1900 benchmark, predicts the recently published climate report of Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), an UN body.

The temperature-rise in Darjeeling, known as the Switzerland of eastern India is projected to be even more than that of Delhi, which is expected to rise 5.3 degree centigrade during the period.

Even under minimum global emission rise scenario likely, a rise of 2 degree compared to nineteenth century benchmark, Darjeeling is expected to have a 3.1-degree temperature rise.

The most alarming part of the trend is the finding that major part of temperature rise is likely to happen during the current century. Take Darjeeling, more than 90 percent of its mercury rise is projected to occur in between 2015 & 2100, while hardly 10percent rise has occurred from 1900 to 2015.

Incidentally, considering a scenario where no significant global cut in carbon emission takes place, Darjeeling’s maximum temperature may reach 31.2 degree centigrade during the end of the century, while the currently highest recorded temperature in Darjeeling town is 26.7 degree centigrade till date.

On total rainfall count, under worst possible scenario, Darjeeling may have a meager 18.3 percent rise compared to preindustrial period; 95 percent of the rise to happen during current century.

However, the most threatening part of the prediction is Darjeeling is likely to have sharp rise in maximum one day rainfall compared to pre industrial period, with the one day rainfall to reach about 120mm. According to experts, such high deluge within short span may trigger land slide & cause other infrastructural problems.

Murshidabad, Malda and both Dinajpur to warm up most

Major North Bengal cities including Siliguri, Balurghat, Alipurduar, Raigunj, Malda&Murshidabad are likely to have similar trends in temperature rise & rainfall compared to Darjeeling.

The rise of mean temperature is likely to hover within 4.7 to 5 degree in most cities; while the maximum temperatures are likely to touch even 50 degree temperature in summer considering worst emission scenario.

On maximum of maximum temperature front, Murshidabad may reach 50.5 C while Malda, Balurghat and Raigunge remaining close to its heel with 48.5 C. Siliguri is set to touch 42.4 C while Alipurduar may reach 40.1C.

On total rainfall count, while no significant increase is expected till 2060, the rise may be steeper in later part of the century; particularly the rise in one day rainfall. As a matter of fact, many of the cities are likely to receive 140 mm or more rainfall in a day during certain parts of the year.

“Already climate change is felt in north Bengal & the area will become almost inhabitable if the IPCC prediction holds good. We immediately should cut local level emissions to save north Bengal’, said Animesh Bose from HNAF (Himalayan Nature & Adventure Foundation).