La Nina 2024 in India: What Is La Nina Phenomenon Meaning? La Nina vs El Nino Difference As India Braces for Intense Winter – Here’s What You Should Know About La Nina Effect

The La Nina, a repeating climate phenomenon, is all set to occur this year. While it affects countries across the globe, its effects will reach India as well. India is bracing for one of its harshest and coldest winters due to the La Nina phenomenon. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the country could face a severe cold wave with the onset of the La Nina phenomenon, also spelled La Niña, the cooler counterpart of El Nino, also spelled El Niño. The La Nina phenomenon usually starts between the months of April and June, and it strengthens between the months of October and February. According to reports, this phenomenon can last anywhere between nine and twelve months, but it could also last for up to two years. What is La Nina? Know All About The Phenomenon That is Set to Make Winters in India More Chilly This Year.

In India, the severity of the cold will vary in each place, with most of the northern states like Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh bearing the brunt of it. The temperatures in these states could drop to around or below three degrees Celsius.

La Nina Phenomenon Meaning

In Spanish, La Nina means ‘little girl.’ The La Nina, also called El Viejo or cold event, is known as the cooler counterpart of the El Nino. La Nina refers to the periodic and reoccurring cooling of the temperatures of the ocean surface in the eastern and central Pacific. In the La Nina phenomenon, the cooler water is brought to the surface of the ocean. Warmers waters are moved to the western part of the Pacific Ocean. In this case, the water temperature gets cooler than normal. This causes strong and high pressure over the eastern equatorial Pacific.

La Nina and El Nino: How Are They Different?

La Nina and El Nino are two opposite extreme weather conditions in the ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation Cycle). La Nina represents the cooler phase of the cycle and El Nino represents the warmer phase of the cycle. La Nina leads to colder winters and El Nino leads to increase in temperatures. In Spanish, El Nino means ‘little boy’ or ‘Christ child.’ In the La Nina phenomenon, the water in the eastern and central Pacific get cooler. In the El Nino phenomenon, the winds bring warmer water to the ocean's surface. Due to this, the temperature of the ocean rises, and this results in warmer ocean surface; hence, it is known as the warmer counterpart of the La Nina. In a normal condition, the low-level surface winds blow from east to west along the equator. But in the case of El Nino, these winds weaken and sometimes start blowing towards the other direction, which is from west to east.

La Nina 2024 Effect in India

While El Nino means warmer weather, less than average rains, and droughts, La Nina brings good monsoons and cooler weather. In India, it is expected to drop temperatures, with India experiencing an intense and harsh winter.

La Nina Effect on Health

La Nina is associated with flooding, heavy rainfall, cooler weather, and extreme weather conditions. This could result in the spread of various bacteria or diseases and illnesses like diarrhoea or diseases associated with climate change. Hence, it is important for people to have good hygiene practices. El Nino Meaning, Causes and Effects: How the Phenomenon Will Affect Temperature Extremities in India and Globally.

La Nina is a reoccurring climate condition that brings with it extreme weather conditions. Its effect will be felt in India this year, with the country bracing for an intense and harsh winter.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2024 02:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).