Daily Mains Question – GS 3 – 28th June 2025
- TPP
- Jun 28
- 4 min read
Welcome to your daily Mains Model Answer — designed to merge environmental science with policy relevance, as required in GS Paper 3. Today’s answer delves into how rising global temperatures are intensifying the Earth’s hydrological cycle, leading to a paradoxical surge in both extreme rainfall events and prolonged droughts — phenomena that are increasingly shaping global disaster profiles and water security challenges.
This topic aligns closely with GS Paper 3 under the theme “Environment and Disaster Management”, particularly within the subdomains of climate change, extreme weather events, and the sustainable management of natural resources. Grasping the science behind the disrupted water cycle and its real-world consequences is essential not only for understanding contemporary ecological crises but also for framing climate-resilient strategies for India and the world.
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QUESTION
Examine how rising global temperatures are intensifying the hydrological cycle, contributing to both extreme rainfall events and drought situations.
Answer: Climate change is increasingly disrupting the Earth’s hydrological (water) cycle, fundamentally altering the way water moves between the land, oceans, and atmosphere. A new global analysis has confirmed that climate warming is "wreaking havoc" on this delicate balance, leading to catastrophic precipitation events, ferocious floods, and prolonged droughts. These disruptions have had significant consequences—by 2024 alone, they impacted billions of people, killed over 8,700, displaced 40 million, and caused economic damages exceeding $550 billion globally.
Understanding the Water Cycle
The hydrological cycle refers to the continuous movement of water in its various forms—solid, liquid, and gas—within the Earth's systems:
Driven primarily by solar radiation, water evaporates from surfaces such as oceans and lakes.
Transpiration from plants adds more vapour to the atmosphere.
This vapour condenses to form clouds and eventually returns as precipitation (rain or snow).
Water then either infiltrates the ground, replenishing soil moisture and aquifers, or flows into rivers and oceans, restarting the cycle.
The water cycle is crucial not just for sustaining life but also for maintaining climate balance and regulating weather patterns across the globe.
Impact of Climate Change on the Water Cycle
Rising global temperatures are intensifying every stage of the water cycle. This intensification is driven by fundamental thermodynamic principles:
1. Enhanced Evaporation and Moisture-Holding Capacity
As temperatures rise, evaporation rates increase, drawing more water from soils, water bodies, and vegetation.
Warmer air holds more water vapour—approximately 7% more for every 1°C temperature rise—resulting in higher atmospheric moisture content.
2. Intensification of Extreme Rainfall Events
With more moisture in the atmosphere, storms become more intense and prolonged.
This leads to record-breaking rainfall and increased flooding, especially in areas already prone to heavy precipitation.
In 2024, monthly rainfall records were broken 27% more frequently than in 2000, while daily rainfall records saw a 52% increase.
3. Worsening Drought Conditions
Higher temperatures dry out soils faster, leading to prolonged droughts.
When rains do occur, parched soils are unable to absorb water, causing increased runoff and limited groundwater recharge.
This cycle reinforces itself: dry conditions cause further evaporation, worsening drought intensity.
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Regional Variations in Impacts
The impacts of a disrupted water cycle are not uniform:
Northern South America, southern Africa, and parts of Asia are experiencing intensified droughts, projected to worsen by 2025.
Conversely, regions like the Sahel and parts of Europe are seeing increased precipitation, raising flood risks and disrupting agriculture and infrastructure.
Case for Urgency: 2024 – A Watershed Year
2024 was officially the warmest year on record, with global temperatures rising 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels—the critical limit set by the Paris Agreement.
According to satellite and ground-based data:
Water-related disasters caused over $550 billion in damages.
8,700 lives were lost due to floods, storms, and droughts.
40 million people were displaced globally.
These trends indicate an urgent need for climate-resilient water management, especially in vulnerable regions.
Conclusion
The intensification of the hydrological cycle due to rising global temperatures is a stark manifestation of ongoing climate change. With scientific data pointing to more frequent extreme rainfall and prolonged droughts, the world stands at a critical juncture. Managing the water cycle sustainably through adaptive infrastructure, resilient agriculture, and climate mitigation strategies is no longer optional—it is essential for safeguarding ecosystems, economies, and human lives in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate.
Way Forward
Strengthen early warning systems for floods and droughts.
Invest in climate-smart agriculture and water-efficient technologies.
Prioritize international cooperation on transboundary water management.
Fulfill global commitments under the Paris Climate Accord and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
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