MACROECONOMIC POLICY FOR BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS.pptx

MACROECONOMIC POLICY

1. THREAT FROM WEST

2. The Western disturbances are a meteorological phenomenon exhibiting properties of extratropical cyclones originating in the mid-latitudes. They are responsible for affecting the weather patterns in the winter season in the Indian region. The Western disturbances bring precipitation to the Indian subcontinent in the form of rainfall and snow. They are responsible for a significant portion of precipitation in the northwest region of India. Introduction

3. Western disturbances are  storms that originate in the Caspian or Mediterranean Sea , and  bring non-monsoonal rainfall to northwest India,  according to the  Indian meteo rological department(IMD). They are labelled as an  extra-tropical storm  originating in the Mediterranean, is an area of low pressure that brings sudden showers, snow and fog in northwest India. The disturbance  travels from the “western” to the eastern direction. These travel eastwards on high-altitude  westerly jet streams  - massive ribbons of fast winds traversing the earth from west to east. Disturbance means an  area of “disturbed” or reduced air pressure. Western disturbances

4. In the term  “extra-tropical storm” , storm refers to low pressure. “Extra-tropical" means outside the tropics.  As the WD originates outside the tropical region, the word “extra-tropical” has been associated with them. A WD is associated with rainfall, snowfall and fog in northern India. It arrives with rain and snow in Pakistan and northern India. The moisture which WDs carry with them  comes from the Mediterranean Sea and/or from the Atlantic Ocean. WD brings winter and pre-monsoon rain and is important for the development of the  Rabi crop  in the Northern subcontinent. The WDs are not always the harbingers of good weather. Sometimes WDs can cause extreme weather events like floods,  flash floods ,  landslides , dust storms, hail storms and  cold waves  killing people, destroying infrastructure and impacting livelihoods.

5. The reason for the abnormal winter seasons since 2020-21 lies in the changing character of the Western Disturbances which bring winter rains to northwest India. Western Disturbances are avoiding the winters; they have started visiting India more frequently during the summers. When tropical cyclones hit land they need warm surface temperatures and shear to maintain themselves which is provided by Western Disturbances if they arrive late. Global warming could reduce the temperature gradient in the Mediterranean that is crucial for the formation of Western Disturbances. I mpact of Climate Change on Western Disturbances:

6. Positive Impact: Western disturbances bring rainfall and snowfall to the Himalayan region, which replenishes soil moisture and groundwater levels, benefiting Rabi crops. Adequate precipitation during the Rabi season ensures sufficient soil moisture for germination, growth, and development of crops like wheat, barley, and mustard. Snowfall in the upper reaches of the Himalayas serves as a natural reservoir, contributing to the water supply for irrigation during the Rabi season.

7. Negative Impact: Excessive rainfall or untimely snowfall can lead to waterlogging, flooding, and soil erosion, damaging Rabi crops and affecting yields. Erratic weather patterns associated with Western disturbances, such as sudden temperature fluctuations or hailstorms, can harm standing crops, leading to yield losses. Delayed or inadequate precipitation due to weak Western disturbances can result in moisture stress, affecting crop growth and productivity.

8. India not experienced a normal winter in 3 years. In the winter 2022, hottest ever December as per IMD, February broke all records to become the hottest since 1901. Unusually dry and hot winter season, India faces a imminent low yield of rabi crops – due to changing character of western disturbances. Frequency and intensity of storm systems which bring winter rains to the northern plains and snowfall in the Himalayas decreasing. Over 1.7 million farmers in state Jharkhand did not sow Rabi crops during winter due to dry spells.

9. 7 African nations are forced to produce gas includes South Africa, Ethiopa , Morocco etc… The potential emissions are expected to reach about 12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. European union(EU) imported 90% of its gas consumption, of which Russia contributed about 45% To reduce its reliance on Russia EU forced to produce gas in African countries.

10. Various African countries are facing grave epidemics and diseases since they are hit by natural calamities like floods, cyclones etc. This shows a clear connection between climate change and disease outbreak.    Malawi: Face 3 cyclones in 2022 - now facing the worst-ever cholera wave. It has spread to all the 29 districts of the country, infecting 36,940 people and killing more than 1,200 as of February 9, 2023.     Nigeria: Faced flood in 2022 - followed by worst ever cholera caseload.     Kenya:  Most severe drought in four decades - followed by a cholera outbreak. DISEASE OUTBREAK DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE

11. Policies and schemes Prandhan mantri Fasal bhim yojana Crop Insurance Schemes Disaster Relief Funds Weather Forecasting and Early Warning Systems Infrastructure Development

12. IMPACT OF EXTREME WEATHER ON AGRICULTURE: CASE STUDY OF “DESAWARI PAAN” Desawari Paan cultivated in Mahoba district of UP received GI Tag in 2021. Farmers of this delicacy have been facing existential threat due to climate change. Bijendra Chaurasia - a farmer says his betel leaf garden aka “bareja” spread over 0.4 hectare has been affected due to heavy dew and cold waves in January and destroyed Rs. 10 lakh worth of pan (betel leaves). The leaves are sensitive to variations in temperatures and rainfall. Too much rain, or temperatures below 6˚C or above 45˚C, destroy them.