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Flying Rivers: A Primer
1. What Are Flying Rivers?
Flying rivers are massive air currents carrying water vapor from tropical forests into the atmosphere, which later condense as rainfall in distant regions. They act like “rivers in the sky”, transporting moisture far beyond their source.
2. Where Are They Most Prominent?
- Amazon Basin (South America): Moisture from Amazon forests feeds rainfall over Brazil, Argentina, and even parts of Africa.
- Congo Basin (Africa): Plays a similar role in central and southern Africa.
- Indian Subcontinent: The monsoon system is influenced by such vapor transport, with the Himalayas acting as a barrier that forces rainfall.
3. How Do They Form?
- Sun heats tropical forests → Trees release water vapor through evapotranspiration.
- This vapor rises and forms humid air currents.
- Winds transport the moisture thousands of kilometers.
- When the air meets cooler regions or mountains, the vapor condenses → heavy rainfall.
4. Why Are Flying Rivers Important?
- Agriculture: Provide rainfall critical for farming in regions far from rainforests.
- Water Security: Supply fresh water to rivers and aquifers.
- Climate Regulation: Distribute heat and moisture, stabilizing weather.
- Biodiversity: Support ecosystems dependent on regular rainfall.
5. What Threats Do They Face?
- Deforestation: Reduces evapotranspiration, weakening the flying rivers.
- Climate Change: Alters wind patterns and humidity, disturbing rainfall cycles.
- Urbanisation & Pollution: Intensify heat islands, disrupting vapor flows.
6. Why Should India Care?
India’s monsoon and Himalayan river systems are influenced by atmospheric moisture transport. Understanding flying rivers helps explain:
- Intense rainfall events.
- Long dry spells during monsoon.
- The link between South American deforestation and rainfall shifts in Asia.
Synopsis
Flying rivers are vast streams of water vapor in the atmosphere, created mainly by tropical forests, that bring rainfall to faraway regions. They regulate climate, sustain agriculture, and support ecosystems. But deforestation and climate change threaten their stability, risking water and food security worldwide.