Astronomers say a shift in the polar jet stream - which is causing the unseasonal rains - has been caused by a decrease in sun's activity
The vagaries of nature have been causing problems for farmers and the crops repeatedly in the past few years. Unseasonal rains and hailstorm in Nashik district have been witnessed over the past three-four years.
The present situation of rains and hail showers has been caused by the shift of polar jet stream, the winds blowing from west to east, southwards. Explaining this Shriniwas Aundhkar, director at Mahatma Gandhi Mission, Centre for Astronomy and Space Technology, Nanded said, "A a normal pattern the polar jet streams blow in India from Afghanistan and Pakistan and cross over Madhya Pradesh and Kanpur. As such the northern regions normally experience unseasonal rains and snow. However, as the north pole is experiencing more snowfall and so are regions up north in India, these winds are being pushed southwards due to the pressure. Presently they are seen blowing over Gujarat and western and central Maharashtra. Hence the hailstorms these regions are experiencing rains and hail storm".
This phenomema has been witnessed for the last two-three years and has been observed seven-eight times this year itself. He added that the activity on the sun is affecting the earth.
"If we observe the last two sun cycles where the sun activity is noted in the form of formation of sunspots it can be seen that normally the range of a sun cycle for sunspot activity is seen over a period of 11-11.5 years. However, the 23rd cycle from 1996 to 2009 ranged for 13-13.5 years. The 24th cycle is going on.
In the 23rd cycle more than 170 sunspots were noted. This meant that the sun was active. However, in the present cycle, only 70 spots have been noted thus far. There has been a decrease in the sun's activity.
"The sun is probably undergoing load shedding," Aundhkar states.
He further explains that as a result of this decreased sun activity, the north pole is experiencing heavy snow for long periods which is also seen in northern areas of the world as well as in the Himalayas and Kashmir in India. The winters are getting colder and the snow heavier.
Aundhkar further forecasts that as a result of all this the Indian summer will not be as expected. The monsoon will be harsh on Marathwada, Vidharba and Telagana. The winters will be more stronger and by 2018, we may see snow in Delhi!
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