bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the mechanism of land-cover related climate change in the low latitudes
Authors: PAETH HEIKO
Published: November 2021

Rainfall variability in the low latitudes in general and over tropical and sub-tropical Africa in particular, is largely affected by land surface characteristics like, vegetation cover, albedo and soil moisture. Understanding the local and dynamical effects of land-cover changes is crucial to future climate prediction, given ongoing population growth and increasing agricultural needs in Africa. Here, a set of sensitivity studies with a synoptic-scale regional climate model is presented, prescribing idealized scenarios of reduced vegetation cover over Africa. Beside the vegetation ratio itself, the leaf area index, forest ratio, surface albedo and roughness length are changed as well, in order to obtain a consistent scenario of land surface degradation. In addition, a second set of experiments is realized with altered soil parameters as expected to be coming alongwith a reduction in vegetation cover.

 

Seasonal rainfall amount decreases substantially when the present-day vegetation continuously disappears. The strongest changes are found over the Congo Basin and subsaharan West Africa, where the summer monsoon precipitation diminishes by up to 2000 mm and 600 mm, respectively. The rainfall response to vegetation changes is non-linear and statistically significant over large parts of subsaharan Africa. Convective precipitation is more sensitive than large-scale precipitation.

 

The most prominent effect of land degradation is a decrease (increase) of latent (sensible) heat fluxes. As a consequence, the large-scale thermal gradients, as a key factor in the monsoonal flow over Africa, are modified leading to a southward shift of the intertropical convergence zone and enhanced moisture advection over the southernmost part of West Africa and the central Congo Basin. The mid-tropospheric jet and wave dynamics are barely affected by land-cover changes. Although the large-scale dynamical response is favourable to increasing rainfall amount, the moisture budget is predominantly governed by reduced evapotranspiration, overcompensating the positive dynamical effect and inducing a weakening of the regional-scale water recycling. The related changes in the soil properties may additionally contribute to a reduction in rainfall amount, albeit of lower amplitude.
Depletion of ozone over Antarctica during 2006
Authors: PESHIN S. K.
Published: November 2021

The large decrease in the ozone hole area from 2003 to 2004 and the large increase again from 2004 to 2005 and again from 2005 to 2006 cannot be explained by changes in stratospheric halogen loading but are due to interannual dynamical variability. This variability will make it difficult to detect the onset of ozone recovery in Antarctica and in particular it will be difficult to attribute any positive change in ozone to declining amounts of ozone depleting substances. In addition to analysis based on meteorological data and satellites, this paper contains results from a number of stations. Total ozone and ozonesonde data for the 2006 season have been compared to data from previous years. Several stations have observed total ozone columns that are close to the all time low for those stations. In some cases record low total ozone columns have been recorded.
Activity of Madden Julian Oscillation during 2002 and 2006 – A comparative analysis
Authors: KHOLE MEDHA
Published: November 2021

The Indian summer monsoon is characterized by very significant intra-seasonal variability. Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is one of the dominant modes of the intra-seasonal variability of the Indian summer monsoon rainfall.  The activity of Madden Julian Oscillation during the monsoon seasons of the two years of contrasting intra-seasonal rainfall variability has been examined in terms of rainfall activity over India and eastward propagation of convection in the near-equatorial region. The study shows the contrasting nature, viz., in the monsoon season of 2002, eastward mode dominated whereas in 2006, it remained suppressed.
Sub-divisional summer monsoon rainfall over India in relation to low pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal and adjoining land regions during 1982-1999
Authors: MOHAPATRA M.
Published: November 2021

A study is undertaken to find out characteristic features of relationship of the low pressure system (LPS) over the Bay of Bengal and adjoining land regions with the rainfall over different meteorological sub-divisions of India during summer monsoon season (June-September). For this purpose, rainfall over 35 meteorological sub-divisions in India and LPS days over west central (WC) Bay, northwest (NW) Bay, northeast (NE) Bay, Bangladesh (BDS), Gangetic West Bengal (GWB), Orissa, north coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP), east Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh (EMPC) and Jharkhand (JKD) during different monsoon months and the season as a whole over a period of 18 years (1982-1999) are analysed. There is large month to month variation in the impact of the LPS on the sub-divisional monsoon rainfall over India. However, the results presented in the study including developed correlation maps may be helpful to predict 24 hours rainfall based on the location of the LPS and associated monsoon trough.

 

The frequent development and persistence of LPS over NW Bay are favourable for higher seasonal monsoon rainfall over east central India. The development and persistence of LPS over WC Bay adversely affect the seasonal rainfall over this region. On the other hand, the frequent development and persistence of LPS over WC Bay and its subsequent westward movement across NCAP are favourable for higher seasonal rainfall over the peninsular region excluding west coast. The seasonal rainfall over northwest India decreases with increase in LPS days over EMPC. The seasonal rainfall over west central India, northeast India and west coast are not significantly related with the number of LPS days over the regions under consideration.
Effect of weather on growth and yield of cotton grown in the dry farming tract of peninsular India
Authors: CHATTOPADHYAY N. , SAMUI R. P. , BANERJEE S. K.
Published: November 2021

In the present study the effect of meteorological parameters on cotton growth at three different stations in the dry farming tract of peninsular India were studied critically. Increase in minimum temperature                (above normal) particularly at vegetative and flowering stages favoured the yield of three varieties of cotton (AHH - 468, MCU - 9 and MCU - 10) under study.  Decrease in maximum temperature at flowering and boll development stages was found to be conducive for the higher yield of AHH – 468 variety of cotton at Akola.  In general, relative humidity was positively correlated with the yield of AHH – 468 varieties at Akola and MCU – 10 varieties at Kovilpatti. Lower values of bright sunshine hours (<5 hours) during vegetative and flowering were found to be helpful for increased yield of cotton at Akola. Rainfall at the beginning of the season favoured the yield of the crop.
Variability in dynamic and thermodynamic parameters in cyclogenesis over north Indian ocean
Authors: MUTHUCHAMI A.
Published: November 2021

The two basins Arabian sea (ARS) and Bay of Bengal (BOB) of the North Indian Ocean (NIO) are having different dynamic and thermodynamic character and therefore ARS has subdued cyclone activity than BOB. In order to examine the difference between these basins in respect of various meteorological parameters, using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data for the period 1971-2005 during the months of September to December the distribution of the dynamic and thermodynamic parameters are discussed. It is seen that sea surface temperature (SST) is not responsible for subdued activity over ARS as the SST over ARS and BOB is mostly above minimum threshold level. In respect of wind shear, during October in ARS north of 10°  N is favourable for storm formation unlike September where the whole of Arabian sea except the region north of 20° N is inert to cyclone formation. The humidity factor is more pronounced in ARS for prohibiting storm formation than shear factor. In all the months static instability at 90° E is least and so the atmosphere is neutral throughout the period and consequence of it any small trigger in the lower level will induce the system to grow further.  The BOB is more barotropic than ARS. There is a considerable difference exists in precipitation rate as a consequence of more stable atmosphere over Arabian sea than in Bay of Bengal even at the lower level.
Determining earthquake epicentre from a single 3-component seismological station
Authors: TAID M. , LYNGDOH A. C. , GHOSE A. K.
Published: November 2021

An attempt has been made in this study to determine the epicentres by trigonometrical method from a single station using the three components of the ground's motion recorded by the Benioff Short Period Seismograph of the World Wide Standardized Seismograph Network (WWSSN) at Central Seismological Observatory (C.S.O.), Shillong. The trigonometrical method is based on the angle of bearing obtained from the ratio of the amplitudes of waves recorded on the horizontal components of the WWSSN seismograms. A comparison of recorded epicentres from the I.M.D. Seismological Network of Seismo, New Delhi with that of a single station i.e., C.S.O., Shillong has been made to estimate the accuracy of the method. The characteristics of the epicentral variations obtained from the Seismological Network of Seismo, New Delhi with that of C.S.O., Shillong are relatively small for local earthquakes compared to regional earthquakes with C.S.O., Shillong as the reference station. The characteristics of the epicentral variations particularly in the Shillong plateau are observed to be minimum. Strong correlations of epicentres are observed for both local as well as regional earthquake events.
Application of Neural Network Technique to improve the location specific forecast of temperature over Delhi from MM5 model
Authors: BHOWMIK S. K. ROY , NATH SANKAR , MITRA A. K. , HATWAR H. R.
Published: November 2021

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been using direct model output (2 meters height temperature) of MM5 model as numerical guidance for forecasting maximum and minimum temperature of Delhi in short range time scale (up to 72 hours).  Performance statistics of the direct model outputs of the model for maximum and minimum temperature show that forecast skill of the model is reasonably good, particularly for the minimum temperature. For further improving the model forecast, Neural Network (NN) as well as regression techniques are applied so that  the systematic errors of the direct model output of the model for maximum and minimum temperature could be reduced. The study shows that both Neural Network approach and regression technique are capable to improve the  forecast skill  of maximum and minimum temperature. Daily modified forecasts are found persistently closer to the observations when the method is tested with the independent sample. The methods are found to be promising for operational application.
Excess and deficient summer monsoon rainfall over Orissa in relation to low pressure systems
Authors: MOHAPATRA M. , MOHANTY U. C.
Published: November 2021

A study has been undertaken to find out different characteristics like frequency, intensity, movement, region of occurrence etc. of low pressure systems (LPS) including low, depression and cyclonic storm etc. developing over Orissa and neighbouring sea and land regions during excess and deficient monsoon  rainfall months (June – September) over Orissa. The study is based on data of 20 years (1980-1999). The principal objective of this study is to find out the contribution of LPS to extreme monsoon rainfall activity over Orissa.

 

The number of LPS days rather than frequency of formation of LPS over different regions better explain the excess and deficient rainfall over Orissa. The excess rainfall over Orissa during June is not significantly related with the number of LPS days. Significantly less than normal number of LPS days over northwest (NW) Bay of Bengal and Gangetic West Bengal (GWB) and higher number of LPS days over west central (WC) Bay off north coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP) cause deficient rainfall over Orissa during June. While significantly higher than normal number of LPS days over NW Bay and Orissa leads to excess rainfall during July, less than normal number of LPS days over WC Bay off NCAP is associated with excess rainfall during August. The less number of LPS days over Orissa due to less frequent movement of LPS across Orissa from the Bay of Bengal leads to deficient rainfall over Orissa during both July and August. Significantly higher/less than normal number of LPS days over NW Bay leads to excess/deficient rainfall over Orissa during September.
Employment of MM5 in simulating MCSs developed in and around Bangladesh
Authors: AKTER NASREEN , ISLAM MD. NAZRUL
Published: November 2021

The Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs) produce numerous weather hazards with their variety of forms. The formation mechanism of MCSs is thus important to know for Bangladesh and its surroundings, because this region is one of the heaviest rainfall areas in the tropical zone. The meteorologists are studying and analyzing the formation mechanism of different types of MCSs using radar and satellite observations data. Observations are limited to real time, but for planning purposes projected parameters over a certain period obtained from a mesoscale model is the requirement. Consequently, the motivation of this paper is to obtain the evolution and life cycle of MCSs developed in and around Bangladesh during pre-monsoon period through the simulation by a mesoscale model named MM5. In this work the calibration of MM5 model for different cumulus parameterization has been performed during the pre-monsoon period of this region. In the present study two domains with mesh resolutions 45 km × 45 km and 15 km × 15 km are prepared. MM5 runs using different cumulus parameterizations are carried out for sensitivity test. The precipitation simulated by the model are compared structurally and numerically with that of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data products, available data from radar scan and observed rain-gauges rainfall in Bangladesh. Important features like lifetime, maintenance mechanism, traversed path, propagation speed and direction of MCSs developed during pre-monsoon period of 2002 in and around Bangladesh have been pointed out.
Simulations of frequency, intensity and tracks of cyclonic disturbances in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea
Authors: SINGH O. P.
Published: November 2021

The paper presents the results of simulation experiments conducted for the assessment of likely changes in the cyclogenesis pattern in the Bay of Bengal (BOB) and the Arabian Sea (AS) resulting from global climate change. Two experiments were performed, namely the ‘control’ (CTL) experiment in which the greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere was fixed as per 1990 levels and the ‘greenhouse gas’ (GHG) experiment in which an annual compound increase of 1% from 1990 onwards was introduced. CTL and GHG experiments of 20 years length were performed for the period 2041-2060. The model used is the regional climate model Had RM2 of the Hadley Centre of Climate Prediction and Research, U.K.

 

 The results have brought out some significant changes in the cyclogenesis pattern in the North Indian Ocean (BOB and AS). The most significant likely change is the increase in the frequency of post-monsoon storms in the Bay of Bengal. The experiments show an increase of about 50% in the post-monsoonal cyclogenesis by 2041-2060 as a result of increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. The frequency of monsoon depressions / storms in the BOB is likely to decrease considerably during June-August. Due to varying impacts in different seasons, the annual frequency of cyclonic disturbances may change marginally in the BOB. In the Arabian Sea, however the model has simulated a significant reduction in the frequency which may be halved by the period 2041-2060.

The results show intensification of storms during May-June and September-November. The monsoon depressions  during July-August are  likely to become less intense.

 

In GHG experiment most of the post-monsoon storms have a tendency to strike north Andhra-Orissa coasts whereas in CTL experiment the storms strike coast from Tamilnadu to south Orissa. Thus, the focus of post-monsoon storms in the BOB is likely to shift northwards from Tamilnadu-Andhra Pradesh coast to north Andhra Pradesh-south Orissa coast. Another important simulated change in storm tracks is that more number of pre-monsoon storms in the BOB may have a tendency to recurve north or northeastwards by 2041-2060.
Assessment of scale of hazards due to pool fire for a fossil fired power plant in India
Authors: KUMAR ARUN , DASH S. K. , DHAKA S. K.
Published: November 2021

Hazards for a fossil fired power plant located at   coastal Gujarat in India have been assessed.  The trajectory and spread of the plume from tanks of fossil fired power plant were predicted using existing models named Carter, Mills, Briggs and Zonato during winter and summer seasons with low and high wind speeds observed in day and night hours. Results show that wide areas of habitation and human settlement to the northeast of the site may be potentially under hazards due to southwesterly and southerly winds during summer. Plume heights and widths are found high in the morning hours or late night when wind speeds are low. As wind speed increases around noon, low plume heights and widths are obtained.   Length scales become low at low wind speeds and vice-versa. Lethal doses of thermal radiation beyond radial distance of 70 m are within the tolerable limit under hazardous condition.
Simulation of storm surge associated with cyclones land falling Bangladesh coast
Authors: MOKIM MOHAMMAD ABDULLAH – AL , DEBSARMA SUJIT KUMAR , SHAFEE SULTANA
Published: November 2021

This paper describes the basic features of storm surge phenomena using Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) model (installed at Bangladesh Meteorological Department) for the Bay of Bengal. To capture the storm surge scenarios, after the entrance of the cyclone into the northern part of the Bay of Bengal, high resolution IIT model has been used. The analysis area is from 18° N to 23° N and 83.5° E to 94.5° E. Bathymetric data required for the model has been taken from Royal Admiralty Table and ETOPO2 dataset.  In this paper, various scenarios of storm surges are developed and then investigated for varying input parameter values. This paper also examines the time-series of surges at the fixed landfall point by using the data of three severe cyclonic storms when the cyclone approaches the landfall point.
Hemispheric sea ice extent dynamics as observed from MSMR
Authors: SHARMA NILAY , DASH M. K. , PANDEY P. C. , VYAS N. K.
Published: November 2021

The ice covered regions of the polar seas influence the global climate in several ways. Any perturbation in the polar oceanic cryosphere affects the local weather and the global climate through modulation of the radiative forcing, the bottom water formation and the mass & the momentum transfer between Atmosphere-Cryosphere-Ocean System. The cold, harsh and inhospitable conditions in the polar regions prohibit the collection of extensive in situ data with sufficient spatial and temporal variation. However, satellite remote sensing is an ideal technique for studying the areas like the polar regions with synoptic and repetitive coverage.  This paper discusses the analysis of the data obtained over the polar oceanic regions during the period June 1999 – September 2001 through the use of Multi-channel Scanning Microwave Radiometer (MSMR), onboard India’s first oceanographic satellite Oceansat-1. The MSMR observation shows that all the sectors in the Antarctic behave differently to the melting and formation of the sea ice. Certain peculiar features like the increase in sea ice extent during the melt season of 1999 – 2000 in the Indian Ocean sector, 15 – 20% decrease in the sea ice extent in the western Pacific sector during the ice formation period for the year 2000, melting spell within the formation phase of sea ice in B & A sector in the year 2000 were observed. On the other hand the northern polar sea ice extent is seen to be more dominated by the land characteristics. The ice formation in Kara and the Barent Sea sector is dominated by the ocean currents, where as the ice covered in the Japan and the Okhotsk Sea is dominated by the land processes. The sea ice extent in the Arctic Ocean show fluctuations from July to October and remain almost steady over other months. The global sea ice cover shows a formation phase from March to June and melting phase from November to February. In other months, i.e., from July – October the global sea ice cover is dominated by the hemispheric asymmetry of the ice growth and retreat.
An account of low level wind shear over Chennai airport - Part II : Turbulence and eddy dissipation
Authors: SURESH R.
Published: November 2021

In-flight reports on Low Level Wind Shear (LLWS) received from aircrafts are used to issue wind shear alerts for all subsequent landing aircrafts as per standing guidelines of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). In this paper, winds reported by aircrafts at 1000 and 1800 ft. are used to validate the wind estimated from DWR measured radial wind data employing standard algorithms. Turbulence indices and parameters have been computed independently using conventional (RS/RW) upper air data, aircraft measured winds and DWR estimated winds and compared these with wind shear induced turbulence reported by aircrews. Mean power law (wind escalation law) profiles in the boundary layer have been arrived at for unstable and stable atmospheric conditions.

 

                Three dimensional shear (3DS) upto 600 m a.g.l. has been worked out from DWR measured radial velocity data and compared with wind shear computed from RS/RW and aircraft measured winds and DWR estimated winds. It is found that 3DS values of more than 16 * 10-3 s-1 predict well the occurrence of moderate turbulence. Contrary to the general belief that wind shear is a short lived phenomenon which may last for a few minutes only, it has been observed that incidences of LLWS and induced moderate turbulence lasting more than 10 hrs are not at all uncommon over Chennai aircraft.
A diagnostic study on the energetics aspects of hiatus in the advance of southwest monsoon
Authors: DUTTA SOMENATH , DE U. S. , DEVI SUNITHA
Published: November 2021

Advance of southwest monsoon, after its onset, often gets stalled for a week or more causing concern to the farmers and other community whose activities are weather dependent. The present study on the energetics aspect of hiatus in the advance of southwest monsoon over India aims at understanding the dynamical reasons for this. Nine cases of hiatus of duration more than 10 days during 1982-2006 have been selected. For each hiatus case, different energy terms, their generation and conversion among different terms have been computed during the hiatus period and also during the pre-hiatus pentad over a limited region between 65° E to 90° E, 5° N to 30° N. These computations are based on NCEP 2.5° × 2.5°  re-analysed daily composite data during different hiatus period and during corresponding pre-hiatus pentad.

               

From this study it is found that :

 

(i)     In most of the cases there is a reduction in the generation of zonal available potential energy [G(AZ)] during hiatus period compared to pre-hiatus pentad.

 

(ii)    Drop in the conversion from zonal available potential energy to zonal kinetic energy [C(AZ, KZ)] during hiatus period has been observed in most of the cases.

 

(iii)   In most of the cases there is a reduction in zonal kinetic energy (KZ) and in eddy kinetic energy (KE) during hiatus period compared to pre-hiatus pentad.
Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) for Teesta basin and heavy rainfall warning over Teesta basin & adjoining areas in north Bengal & Sikkim using synoptic analog method
Authors: RAHA G. N. , BHATTACHARJEE K. , JOARDAR A. , MALLIK R. , DUTTA M. , CHAKRABORTY T. K.
Published: November 2021

This article presents the method to issue Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) for Teesta catchment. A synoptic analog model has been developed analyzing 10 years (1998-2007) data for Teesta catchment. The outcomes are then validated with the realized Average Areal Precipitation (AAP) for the corresponding synoptic situations during south-west monsoon season 2008 (1st June to 30th September) over Teesta basin and results revealed that there exists a good agreement between day-to-day QPF with corresponding realized AAP calculated over this basin next day. In addition, occurrence of heavy rainfall has also been studied in this paper.
Diagnostic study of a recurving cyclone – ‘MALA’ over the Bay of Bengal
Authors: CHAND RAMESH , MOHAPATRA M.
Published: November 2021

A very severe cyclonic storm “Mala” (25-29 April 2006) developed over south east Bay of Bengal. Initially the system moved northwestwards while intensifying into the stage of cyclonic storm during 25-26th  April 2006. It then recurved and moved in a north-northeasterly direction and crossed Arakan coast as a very severe cyclonic storm on 29th April, 2006 causing loss of life and property over the region.

The unique features associated with this system was the continuous intensification after the recurvature.Various diagnostic features associated with intensification and movement of this system have been analysed and discussed. The study highlights the use of different dynamic and thermodynamic parameters as precursors for prediction of intensity and movement of the system. It also discusses the  interaction of very severe cyclonic storm Mala with a vortex  over the south Indian Ocean.
Large scale fluctuations of the Continental Tropical Convergence Zone (CTCZ) during pilot CTCZ phase-2009 and the evolution of monsoon drought in 2009
Authors: SIKKA D. R. , TYAGI AJIT , RAM L. C.
Published: November 2021

Summer monsoon season of the year 2009 resulted in a major drought on the scale of India with rainfall deficiency of 23% from the normal. This was the monsoon season when a pilot phase of the programme Continental Tropical Convergence Zone (CTCZ), a planned multiyear programme to understand the complex interactions among the land, ocean, atmosphere, biosphere components of the regional monsoon climate system, was undertaken. The paper attempts to document the major features in the evolution of monsoon 2009 and provides a preliminary diagnosis of the causes for monsoon drought.
Modeling the effect of planting date on Maize (Zea mays L.) crop in Sabour region of Bihar using DSSATv3.5 crop simulation model
Authors: SINGH P. K. , RATHORE L. S. , SINGH K. K. , BAXLA A. K. , MALL R. K.
Published: November 2021

CERES-Maize model calibrated for local conditions of Sabour has been used to evaluate the relevance medium range weather forecast relative to the maize crop growth period. The procedure is to place the reference year's daily weather into the model up to the time the yield prediction is to be made and sequences of historical data (one sequence per year) after that time until the end of growing season to give yield estimates. A procedure that makes use of historical weather data, medium range weather forecast (mrwf) and current weather data in conjunction with the CERES-Maize model was developed to arrive at a probable distribution of predicted yields. The lower temperature and more solar radiation in tassel emergence to dough stage silk emergence to physiological maturity phase and lower maximum temperature are found favorable to contribute more in increasing the grain yields. The CERES- Maize model correlated for the genetic coefficient predicts the silking dates and physiological maturity very well. Kharif maize gave the highest grain yield of 3490 kg/ha in 1999 and the lowest of 2474 kg/ha in 1979. Among eight different sowing dates the lowest average grain yield was 3190 kg/ha for the last sowing date and the highest average grain yield was 3313 kg/ha in 2nd sowing date. The 25 percentiles were less than the mean grain yields and also 75 percentiles.
Short term stratospheric ozone trend over Dumdum and its relation with Flare Index of northern hemisphere
Authors: GANDA S. C. , MIDYA S. K.
Published: November 2021

This paper presents an analysis of the effect of flare index (Q) on the stratospheric ozone concentration over Dumdum station, Kolkata for the period 1979-95. As Dumdum is situated in northern hemisphere we have considered the flare index values for the northern hemisphere only.
Semi-quantitative precipitation forecasts for Kosi/Mahananda catchment by synoptic analogue method
Authors: SINGH K. M. , PRASAD M. C. , PRASAD G. , PRASAD R. , JHA M. K.
Published: November 2021

An attempt has been made to issue semi-quantitative precipitation forecasts for Kosi/Mahananda catchment by synoptic analogue method. Based upon 22 years of data (1982 - 2003) the study reveals that it is possible to issue semi­-quantitative forecasts with confidence.

Local topography of the catchments and its steep gradient from Bhim nagar to Chatra / Brahkshetra in Kosi and hills in Darjeeling are favourable regions where moist air masses of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea during South West Monsoon in lower troposphere converge and trough at 500 hPa especially diffluent in rear creates divergence and moist air mass is pulled up resulting in heavy / very heavy rainfall in sub montane districts of Bihar and Nepal Himalaya in addition to orographic effects. This gives birth to severe floods and makes the life of densely populated districts of  Pumea / Katihar / Saharsa / Kisanganj / Madhepura miserable and badly affects the economy of the region.
Stochastic modeling of the occurrence of rainfall over some districts of Assam during 1987-1992
Authors: RAHA G. N. , KAKATY S. C.
Published: November 2021

The Primary aim in this paper is to find an alternative approach that consists of modeling the pattern of dry and wet spell over some districts of Assam. The Markov Chain Model is used to predict the length of dry and wet spells during the Indian summer monsoon season (June to September). This information may help the agronomists and agricultural scientists in crop planning. Five districts viz., Dibrugarh, Kamrup, Sonitpur, Dhemaji and North­ Lakhimpur are considered here for this study. Markov Chain Model is fitted for each of the district and the results of the five districts are pooled. This pooled result reveals that during the period 1987-1992, the probability for the day being wet when the immediately preceding day is dry for different years varies from 0.44 to 0.54 while the probability of the day being wet when the immediately preceding day is wet for different years varies from 0.74 to 0.86. It is also found that in the Indian summer monsoon season after about every consecutive 4 - 7 wet days a dry day is expected to occur whereas alter about consecutive 2 dry days, a wet day is expected to occur. The number of days required for the process to reach the state of equilibrium varies from 4 - 7 days.
Rainfall models – a study over Gangtok
Authors: SEETHARAM K.
Published: November 2021

In this paper, the Pearsonian system of curves were fitted to the monthly rainfalls from January to December, in addition to the seasonal as well as annual rainfalls totalling to 14 data sets of the period 1957-2005 with 49 years of duration for the station Gangtok to determine the probability distribution function of these data sets. The study indicated that the monthly rainfall of July and summer monsoon seasonal rainfall did not fit in to any of the Pearsonian system of curves, but the monthly rainfalls of other months and the annual rainfalls of Gangtok station indicated to fit into Pearsonian type-I distribution which in other words is an uniform distribution. Anderson-Darling test was applied to for null hypothesis. The test indicated the acceptance of null-hypothesis. The statistics of the data sets and their probability distributions are discussed in this paper.
Water balance studies for the crop planning in Ranchi, Jharkhand
Authors: SINGH P. K. , BHARGAVA A. K. , MITRA VASU , PRASAD AWADHESH , JAYAPALAN M.
Published: November 2021

The rainfall data of 35 years was analyzed to quantify the rainfall efficiency for increased production for Ranchi region. The actual evaporation in driest year due to prolonged dry spell gives rise to severe drought condition affecting the crop growth adversely. No surplus water was recorded during driest year. In respect of coefficient of variation, the month of July registered the lowest coefficient of variation of 35 per cent followed by August (38 per cent) indicating lesser variability during this month. The threshold level of coefficient of variation ranges of 50-100 per cent was associated with April to October and indicated the dependability of rainfall in these months as compared to other months. The maximum length of growing season of 28 week, while minimum 12 week was recorded. In normal conditions, the length of growing season were recorded 18 week. Therefore, short duration paddy variety Birsa Gora-101, maize, i.e., Devki, Ganga-11, Suran and kharif pulses are suitable for the region.
Statistical analysis of monsoon rainfall distribution over West Bengal, India
Authors: DASTIDAR AVIK GHOSH , GHOSH SARBARI , DE U. K. , GHOSH S. K.
Published: November 2021

Seasonal, monthly and daily rainfall characteristics of meteorological sub-divisions of Sub Himalayan West Bengal (SHWB) and Gangetic West Bengal (GWB) have been studied using rainfall data of 23 stations of India Meteorological Department (IMD) over the state of West Bengal. The two subdivisions have distinctive characteristics, though two stations lying in the plain region of SHWB have behaviour more alike the stations of GWB.  Krishnagar is a station with least seasonal rainfall in the entire state. Kurtosis and Skewness of the seasonal rainfall distribution have been studied and found that, for most of the stations they lie within reasonable limits. From the time series analysis, it is found that the seasonal rainfall has no trend.
A statistical study of pre-monsoon weather over south Bengal using descriptive and inferential techniques
Authors: GUPTA S. DAS , DE U. K.
Published: November 2021

Statistical data summarization techniques, curve fitting methods and statistical tests, both parametric and non-parametric, have been applied to form a comprehensive idea about pre-monsoon weather over South Bengal situated in the northeastern part of the Indian sub-continent. The work is based on surface data recorded at 15 major observatories during the period 1969-2000, spread across the western plateau and highlands, Rarh and Gangetic region of South Bengal. The homogeneity of pre-monsoon rainfall and its variability over different stations has been studied using Bartlett`s and Kruskal Wallis tests. For stations with complete weather information for at least 30 consecutive years, time series analysis has been carried out on rainfall data for a climatological overview of long-term behaviour, seasonal and cyclical fluctuations of pre-monsoon rainfall in those areas. This paper, apart from being a regional study, highlights the use of certain parametric and non-parametric tests, not so widely used in the context of climatology.
The onset and advance of Indian summer monsoon in relation with the sea level pressure field
Authors: KHOLE MEDHA
Published: November 2021

The dates of onset of monsoon over Kerala and the advance of monsoon exhibit large interannual and intra seasonal variability. The genesis of Indian summer monsoon is considered to be in the southern hemisphere, over the Mascarene Island. The pressure gradient between the high pressure over Mascarene Island and low pressure over North West India is the fundamental physical cause of the monsoon, which acts as a driving force for the monsoon winds. Thus, the genesis of monsoon and its further advance is closely related to the sea level pressure field. With this backdrop, the variability of the onset and advance of the monsoon in terms of sea level pressure field is examined in this study.  The pentad sea level pressure field does show contrast for the years of early and late onset of monsoon over Kerala and also for the years of rapid and sluggish advance of monsoon.
Evapotranspiration and heat unit requirement of cowpea
Authors: PATIL CHANABASANAGOUDA  SANGANAGOUDA
Published: November 2021

Weighing gravimetric lysimeters are used to measure actual evapotranspiration of cowpea for an experiment conducted for two years during Kharif 2004 and 2005.  A multiple regression equation has been generated for relating crop coefficient of cowpea with week after sowing.  The highest value of crop co-efficient was found to be 1.015 on 6th week after sowing under Bangalore climate, the average values of actual evapotranspiration from cowpea crop and heat unit requirements over a period of 89 days in the Kharif season are found to be 284.8 mm and 1293 degree days respectively.
Crop specific requirement of growing degree days and agrometeorological indices in rice growing zones
Authors: KASHYAPI A. , KOPPAR A. L. , HAGE A. P.
Published: November 2021

The spatial and temporal distributions of heat unit and various agrometeorological indices for the rice crop, are studied in this paper. Eight ET – stations were selected from six rice growing zones, viz., Canning (in lower Gangetic plains), Bikramganj and Varanasi (in middle Gangetic plains), Ludhiana (in trans Gangetic plains), Ranchi, Shymakhunta (in eastern plateau and hills), Annamalai Nagar (in east coast plains and hill region) and Pattambi (in western plains and ghat region). Eleven crop growth stages were identified for this  study, viz., germination, nursery seedling, transplanting, tillering, active tillering, lag phase, panicle initiation, flowering, grain formation, grain maturity and harvesting, the duration of each of the growth stages varied widely, station wise. Daily data were collected growth stagewise for latest available five years and the mean values were computed for the derived parameters, viz., the crop requirements of heat unit, agroclimatic rainfall index (ARI), yield moisture index (YMI), aridity index (AI). The study revealed that for rice crop the total degree days requirement varied from 1706 degree – days (at Ranchi) to 2815 degree – days (at Shymakhunta). It showed primary peak (with 16.7 % of total requirement) at active tillering stage. The ARI values were mostly higher than 100 per cent. The mean YMI values varied widely from 477 mm (at Bikramganj) to 1523 mm (at Pattambi). The values showed main peak at active tillering stage. The AI values showed moderate aridity at early growth stages, which increased at advanced crop growth stages.
Pengembangan Perangkat Pembelajaran Berdasar Masalah dengan Pendekatan Saintifik pada Materi Segi Empat Kelas VII SMP
Authors: Kistatuhu Nurul Wahidatul , Budiarto Mega Teguh , Khabibah Siti
Published: November 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk: (1) mendeskripsikan proses dan hasil pengembangan perangkat pembelajaran berdasar masalah dengan pendekatan saintifik pada materi segiempat kelas VII SMP yang baik; (2) mendeskripsikan keefektifan pembelajaran berdasar masalah dengan pendekatan saintifik pada materi segiempat kelas VII SMP. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan dalam dua tahap, yaitu tahap pengembangan yang mengikuti rancangan model 4-D dilanjutkan dengan tahap eksperimen. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa produk yang dikembangkan berkualitas baik karena memenuhi kriteria valid, praktis, dan efektif. Perangkat memenuhi kriteria valid berdasarkan hasil penilaian validator yang mendapatkan skor minimal 3 pada setiap aspek serta tes hasil belajar memenuhi kriteria valid, reliabel, dan sensitif. Perangkat memenuhi kriteria praktis berdasarkan aktivitas guru dalam kategori baik dan tingkat keaktifan siswa mencapai 95,6%. Perangkat memenuhi kriteria efektif berdasarkan ketuntasan hasil belajar siswa yang mencapai 83% serta respon positif siswa terhadap perangkat mencapai 92%. Sedangkan pembelajaran menunjukkan capaian efektif didasarkan pada aktivitas guru berkategori baik,  tingkat keaktifan siswa dalam pembelajaran mencapai 96,4%, respon positif siswa terhadap pembelajaran mencapai 93%, dan ketuntasan belajar siswa mencapai 89%.
Analysis of rainfall characteristics and moisture availability index for crop planning in semi arid region of north Gujarat
Authors: JAYDIP J. MAKWANA  , B. S. DEORA  , C. K. PATEL  , B. S. PARMAR  , A. K. SAINI
Published: November 2021

The rainfall, one of the most important natural input resource for dryland agricultural production system, is erratic and temporal in nature. An attempt has been made to analyze thirty years (1990-2019) of meteorological data for prediction of probable week of onset and withdrawal of monsoon and to end with crop planning in North Gujarat region (India).The highest and lowest amount of weekly rainfall was observed in 27th and 39th SMW, respectively. The probability distribution functions viz. generalized extreme value, Gumbel maximum, Gamma and Weibull were found best-fit for prediction of weekly rainfall. The analysis revealed 26th SMW (25 Jun – 01 Jul) and onwards as the most suited sowing time of kharif crops. There are also chances of occurrence of moisture stress during 34th and 35th SMW. The results would be useful for agricultural scientists, researchers, decision makers and policy planners in the field of agricultural crop planning and irrigation management for semi arid regions.
Phenological behaviour of gobhi sarson (Brassica napus L.) and thermal indices as influenced by drip irrigation and fertigation schedules under semi-arid subtropical condition of Punjab
Authors: RAJNI SHARMA  , DIVYA S. KUMAR  , A.S. BRAR  , SOM PAL SINGH
Published: November 2021

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2016-17 and 2017-18, at the Research Farm of Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, to study the phenological behaviour of gobhi sarson (Brassicanapus L.) and thermal indices as influenced by drip irrigation (60, 80 and 100% of cumulative pan-evaporation, CPE) and fertigation schedules (60, 80 and 100 % recommended dose of fertilizers, RDF) in comparison with conventional flood irrigation and manual application of fertilizers i.e. absolute control. The pooled data revealed that Brassica irrigated through drip at 100 % of CPE took maximum number of days to attain 50% flowering, 50% siliqua formation and physiological maturity, followed by 80 and 60% of CPE. Higher fertigation levels also delayed the number of days taken to attain various phenological stages. Maximum seed yield was observed at 100% of CPE with 100% RDF which was statistically at par with 100% of CPE with 80% RDF and 80% of CPE with 80 or 100% RDF, but significantly higher than absolute control. Maximum accumulation of heat units along with heat use efficiency (1.49 kg grains ha-1 °C day hour-1) was also obtained at 100% of CPE with 100% RDF.
Forewarning of stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) of wheat in central zone of Punjab
Authors: SARABJOT KAUR SANDHU  , PARMINDER SINGH TAK  , P. P. S. PANNU
Published: November 2021

Wheat crop is attacked by number of diseases some of which cause yield losses and deteriorates quality. Rust pathogens are most important pathogens of wheat which can cause considerable economic losses if uncontrolled. Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is an important wheat disease common in wheat growing areas experiencing cold and humid weather conditions during the crop season. Different meteorological parameters influence occurrence and development of stripe rust in northern India including Punjab. Based on investigations on relationship of stripe rust with weather parameters, weather based prediction model for stripe rust was developed using disease severity and weather data (2007-08 to 2018-19) recorded at Ludhiana. The data of 2009-10 and 2019-20 was used for validation of model. Regression model based on maximum and minimum temperature, morning relative humidity and sunshine hours gave good results. Validation of model indicated that relationship between observed values of disease and predicted values was very close.
Effects of Glyphosate Herbicide on Photosynthetic Pigments and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Corn (Zea mays L.) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties
Authors: KARABULUT Fadime , ÇANAKCI GÜLENGÜL Songül
Published: November 2021

In this study, it was determined that phytotoxic levels of glyphosate herbicide that will be banned in Europe may be at on wheat and corn plants. Biochemical responses due to the toxic effect of glyphosate at different concentrations were determined in corn (Zea mays L. cv. Ada 523) and wheat (Tritucum aestivum L. cv. Halis) varieties. For wheat and corn varieties, 4 different doses (0, 100, 500 and 1000 μM) of the herbicide were applied to 1-week-old and 15-day-old plants. Hydroponic medium was used for all applications on plants.

According to the results obtained; the toxic effect created by glyphosate increased the destruction of pigment in the leaves and significant decreases were detected. While GST, SOD and CAT activities increased in all concentrations of 1-week-old plants treated with glyphosate, only GST activity decreased at 100 μM concentration of wheat leaf and corn root. SOD and CAT activities were increased in 15-day-old wheat and corn plants treated with glyphosate. Only SOD activity decreased in the root part of the maize plant. GST activity was increased in the roots and leaves of the maize plant, while it decreased in wheat leaves and roots at a concentration of 100 μM. As a result, glyphosate was found to be effective at very low concentrations in wheat and corn regardless of age. It was also revealed that 1-week-old corn and wheat crops inhibit more phytotoxic effects than these 15-day-old plants. In other words, young plants were found to be more resistant.
Segurança Urbana
Authors: Nunes Laura , Sani Ana
Published: November 2021

O presente livro é um manual de boas práticas tendo em vista a prevenção criminal numa área sobre da cidade do Porto - o Centro Histórico -, atendendo a observações realizadas naqueles espaços, bem como a dados relativos aos registos criminais e ao autorrelato obtido através de um inquérito psicossocial. As práticas redutoras/preventivas do crime aqui apresentadas, decorrentes dos resultados alcançados pelo projeto LookCrim, podem contribuir para melhorar não só o Centro Histórico do Porto, mas todas as áreas urbanas, na cidade do Porto e noutras, que, de alguma forma, possuam algumas similaridades. Uma obra de acesso livre e destinada a todos os profissionais e alunos da segurança e do urbanismo, da criminologia, da sociologia, da psicologia da justiça, da arquitetura, da engenharia civil, das forças policiais e dos poderes autárquicos, bem como aos técnicos de segurança social e outros que atuem num domínio das ciências humanas e sociais em que possam também lidar com as questões da criminalidade e da vitimação.