Sat Mar 01 15:43:07 UTC 2025: ## Indian Monsoon Clouds Rising, Increasing Extreme Rainfall Risk: Study
**Kochi, Kerala – March 1, 2025** – A new study reveals a concerning trend in India’s monsoon season: deep convective clouds are rising, increasing the likelihood of extreme rainfall events. Research published in Geophysical Research Letters by scientists from Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and the UK Met Office, analyzed satellite data from 2000 to 2020.
The study found that the tops of these clouds have risen by approximately one kilometer over the past two decades. This increase signifies stronger convective activity, directly linked to heavier rainfall and a heightened risk of flooding. The impact is projected across various regions: northwestern India experiences conditions conducive to heavy downpours and flooding due to this intensified convection; while the warm Indian Ocean amplifies the effect along the western and eastern coasts, leading to severe rainfall events. Northeastern India also sees increased rainfall as a result.
The research team, led by Dr. Ajil Kottayil of CUSAT’s Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research, included doctoral fellow Roshni Antony and collaborators from EUMETSAT and the UK Met Office. Their findings underscore the need for enhanced preparedness and mitigation strategies to address the increasing threat of extreme weather associated with the changing monsoon patterns.
First Piper 