Monsoon in a positive trend; likely to stay normal: Science & Technology minister

Terming the progress in monsoon rains as a positive trend, minister of state for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Mr Y.S. Chowdary today sought to allay concerns over forecast of deficient monsoon rains at an ASSOCHAM event.

Monsoon is in a positive trend, there is no need to have any anxiety, that much I can say, I cannot give numbers because barometer is not there to measure anything perfectly about nature, it is on the positive side and we do not need to worry at all, said Mr Chowdary while inaugurating the 4th National Conference on Climate Change organised by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

Whatever was originally stated as 93 per cent was revised to 88 but it is now on the positive trend, that I can say, said the minister.

He declined from confirming if monsoon rains will reach 93 per cent but reiterated that there is no need to have any worries about that.

While we declare about the weather forecast or general rainfall, we are just in a position to give an average rainfall in the country, we are not specifically able to tell about exact rainfall, said Mr Chowdary.

He stressed upon the need to devise mitigation strategies to minimise the impact of climatic concerns.

We need to devise and put in place a contingency climate resilient plan because the climate has no regional barrier, it is a global issue we need to address in totality, said the minister.

Besides, a well-thought out, long-term adaptation strategy should also be designed and implemented, while doing so, it is desirable that we keep the most vulnerable communities in mind, he added.

He further stressed on the need for an integrated approach for economic sustainability to deal with climate change. Governments, investors, bankers and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) can join together and work out various models.

The minister said that Indianised solutions are required to meet rural India's requirements. We should understand and make use of the population by developing more and more silos which can be implemented.

He also said that there is a need for India to develop permanent sustainable disaster management.

Very often we see that when any tsunami or cyclone takes place, it creates panic as we do not have permanent structures to move the people if a cyclone takes place, said Mr Chowdary.

He also called for greater participation of private players in this sector which has been facing issues related to funding.

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