Northwest India turned drier, south wetter over 70 years, finds IMD study
A study by the IMD found that northwest India has become drier over a 70 year period. The hot semi-arid zone increased from about a quarter of the region's area between 1951 and 1980 to a third between 1991 and 2020. During this time, the temperate zone shrank from roughly a quarter to less than a fifth. About 7% of the region shifted into the drier zone. This change happened as temperatures rose and rainfall declined.
In northwest India, the hot semi-arid zone grew from about a quarter of the region’s area in 1951-1980 to a third in 1991-2020, while the temperate zone shrank from about a quarter to less than a fifth, meaning that an area equal to roughly 7% of the region moved into the drier zone as temperatures rose and rainfall declined, said the study.