Speaking of weather events, it is unfortunate that India tops the list in terms of unfriendly environmental events, including climate change, global warming, pollution, deforestation, and flood & drought situations, among others. As per a report published by the Centre for Science and Environment, it was found that the number of weather events occurring annually in India has been on a consistent rise over the last 3 years.

This shows that the rapidly rising extreme weather events are a reason for really serious concern. But how many of you are aware of the real reason behind the occurrence of such events? So today, in this blog post, we at the Tribhuvan College, ranked among the leading environmental science colleges in Delhi NCR, will shed light on the science behind these extreme weather events - essentially, the why, how, and when. Let us dig further in.

How Are Weather Events and Science Related?

For life to sustain and thrive on this planet, it becomes necessary to study the weather and gauge any impending weather events. This analysis directly associates itself with the discipline of meteorology, which again, combines the principles of physics and chemistry to draw weather-related conclusions.

Involvement of science does not end here. Why we are saying so is because studying the weather and weather-related events remains incomplete in the absence of scientific tools, such as satellites and computer models, that ensure increased accuracy of weather readings.

Most importantly, to mitigate weather-related events, it becomes necessary to first anticipate the same, which is again something that science makes possible.

Science-Specific Nuances Associated with Weather Events:

·         The Science Behind Floods:

We all know about the flash floods that ensued in Uttarakhand, India, in August this year. It was a massive disaster with many people losing their homes, while many others lost their lives or their loved ones. However, how many of you are aware that the key reason behind floods is excess precipitation, poor drainage, and altered land-use patterns, all of which are measurable through environmental science.

When a flood condition arises, what happens is that the land surface loses its capacity to drain off excess surface water, which leads to flood-like situations. However, at the grassroots level, it is the moist air that rises, cools, and condenses to return on Earth in the form of excessive rains or snowfall. Again, hydrology plays a role in floods taking place, something that deals with the science of water movement, once again proving that floods are a result of the scientific changes in the environment.

·         The Science Behind Droughts:

Just like floods bear a connection to science, so do droughts. What makes us say so is the fact that droughts are a result of a scientific interaction between atmospheric circulation, land surface conditions, and climate variability.

When a drought occurs, a shortage in precipitation is noted, which eventually comes together to create a water shortage. Not to forget, to conclude on the possibility and intensity of droughts, scientists utilise science-backed indices such as SPI (Standardised Precipitation Index), proving that droughts are a direct result of science in action.

·         The Science Behind Air Pollution:

We recently celebrated Diwali in India on 20^th October 2025. The festival was indeed full of celebrations and joy. However, it seems like the celebrations have been short-lived, as 22^nd  October 2025 saw about 20 million people in the Indian capital, New Delhi, waking up to the most toxic and polluted air ever. This emphasises the need to consider air pollution as a critical environmental issue that must be given immediate attention.

Now speaking about its scientific nuances, it is crucial to know that the base of air pollution is the harmful gases that are released into the atmosphere. These gases create an imbalance in the natural chemical situation, which is nothing but science. Not to miss the involvement of principles of chemistry and physics that define the state of pollutants, right from the time these are formed, scattered in the environment, and finally transformed to lay the foundation of air pollution.

·         The Science Behind Climate Change

Climate Change is basically a result of scientific give and take between the principles of physics, chemistry, and the Earth system dynamics. Today, this weather event is at its peak because of an imbalance in the Earth’s energy balance.

Looking at this from a scientific perspective, you will know that climate change is magnified because of the planet’s inability to absorb as much solar energy as it radiates back on Earth. The greenhouse effect also has a role to play, which again is incomplete in the absence of science doing its part. This is enough to show the correlation between science and climate change.

Summing Up:

Understanding the science behind extreme weather isn’t just a matter of gaining academic knowledge. Instead, it’s the first step towards empowerment and protecting our planet. At Tribhuvan College, one of the leading environmental science colleges in Delhi NCR, we believe informed minds can drive meaningful environmental change and bridge the gap between science and sustainability. When people begin to understand how and why extreme weather events happen, they can become part of the solution and make a fair contribution towards curbing weather-related events across all levels.