IITM Study Reveals Shocking Truth Behind Indus Valley Civilization's Collapse

India News Today! Researchers at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) have cracked the code behind the mysterious collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization over 4,000 years ago. By deciphering ancient cave formations in southern India, the study exposed a perfect storm of climate factors that eerily mirror modern-day monsoon patterns.

The research team excavated a 7,000-year climate record from cave deposits, shedding light on the region's past climate fluctuations. The findings revealed a deadly combination of reduced solar radiation, El Niño events, and a southward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)—a vital weather system dubbed the "rain belt." This convergence of factors crippled the monsoon, spelling doom for the ancient civilization.

The Indus Valley Civilization, which boasted major urban centres like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, was left high and dry by the weakened monsoon. Prolonged droughts, triggered by the climate conspiracy, ultimately led to the downfall of this ancient powerhouse.

"What is fascinating is that the climate patterns we see affecting monsoons today were at play thousands of years ago, shaping the fate of entire civilization," said Naveen Gandhi, Lead Researcher from IITM.