Analyzing the trend in thermal discomfort and other bioclimatic indices at Kolasib, Mizoram

Abstract

Monthly weather variables of Kolasib for past three decades were analyzed to detect the existing trend in relation to the thermal discomfort for tribal denizen in the north-eastern Indian state of Mizoram. The significant rising trend in seasonal wetness during the monsoon months was prominent, with the concomitant rise in winter dryness. The increasing trend in annual air temperature was also significant. The significant rise in Compensated Summer Ombrothermic Index (COSi) confirmed that the rising trend in monsoonal rainfall overshadowed the subsequent rise in average annual air temperature during May to September. Finally, our present study concluded the increasing possibility of degree of suffering from thermal discomfort for the residents of the Kolasib and adjacent region during the winter (viz. February) and summer monsoon months (viz May-June) in near future.