The role of applied climatological research in alleviating the hazardous impact of the monsoons in South and Southeast Asia

This paper surveys the extent to which the Asian Monsoon system and, especially, its hazard component have been studied from the applied climatological standpoint and seeks to draw attention to the deficiencies and inadequacies. More intensive and detailed investigations are required for providing a better basis for planning, implementing and evaluating preventive and remedial action in hazard mitigation. The main focus of the discussion is the instability of the hydro-climate which constitutes the bane of Asian agricultural economies. It is felt that the main thrust of applied climatological inquires should be directed towards instilling in decision-makers, planners, and the farming community in general, a better knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the opportunities and challenges of the water environment as an economic constraint. In this connection, more emphasis should be placed on the manageable aspects of the atmosphere/man interaction directly or indirectly contributing towards greater hazard proneness. The role that applied climatology proposes to play should be guided more by physical-environmental and socio-economic realities rather than by mere academic dictates. Also, the need for an inter-disciplinary approach to studying the adversities of the monsoon climate cannot be over-emphasized.