The research group of Dr. Somil Swarnkar from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, IISER Bhopal, in collaboration with Dr. Vikas Poonia from the Centre of Excellence in Water Management, MANIT Bhopal, conducted a study recently published in Theoretical and Applied Climatology. The study highlights the rising threat of Compound Dry and Hot Events (CDHEs)—the simultaneous occurrence of drought and heatwaves—in Madhya Pradesh (MP), driven by climate change. Using climate data from 1958 to 2022, the researchers found a sharp post-1990 increase in CDHE frequency and severity, particularly in the northern (Bhind, Morena, Gwalior) and eastern (Sidhi, Shahdol, Satna) districts. Sidhi emerged as the most impacted district, making eastern MP a critical hotspot. The team employed indices like SPI, STI, and the bivariate empirical probability distribution to quantify the intensifying relationship between high temperature and low rainfall. Given MP’s reliance on agriculture, the study recommends Integrated Water Resource Management, climate-resilient farming, early warning systems, and livelihood diversification. The researchers urge policymakers to prioritize adaptation strategies, including crop insurance and financial aid, to build rural resilience. Without proactive interventions, MP’s farming systems and water resources face growing risks under a warming climate. For more details, kindly visit https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00704-025-05573-1
