How Indian monsoon affected by Marine heatwaves? – Indian Geography

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Marine heatwaves increasing, impacting Indian monsoon rainfall: Study

Heatwaves are periods of extremely high temperatures in the ocean.
Marine heatwaves impact the monsoon by reducing the rainfall over the central Indian subcontinent.
Marine heatwaves enhancing it over the southern peninsula.
Underwater survey showed that 85 per cent of the corals in Gulf of Mannar near the Tamil Nadu coast got bleached after marine heatwaves in May 2020.
The western Indian Ocean region experienced the largest increase in marine heatwaves at a rate of about 1.5 events per decade.
Intensity and area covered by the marine heatwaves are increasing.
Suitable conditions for growth of coral reefs
Sunlight: Corals need to grow in shallow water where sunlight can reach them.
Clear water: Corals need clear water that lets sunlight through.
Warm water temperature: Corals generally live in water temperatures of 20–32° C.
Clean water: Corals are sensitive to pollution.
Saltwater: Corals need saltwater to survive and require a certain balance in the ratio of salt to water.
South-west accounts for about 75 per cent of the country’s rainfall, impacting the economy.
Cyclonic storms in the North Indian Ocean region has shown an increasing trend in the past four decades.