INDIA’S average temperature increased by 0.89 degrees Celsius during 2015-2024, compared to the first quarter of the twentieth century, with temperature extremes becoming more frequent across parts of the country, according to a study. An additional warming of 1.2 to 1.3 degrees Celsius is projected by mid-century under a moderate emissions scenario, compared to 1995-2014.

 

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune and Krea University in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, among other institutes, provided an update on observed and projected trends of climate change in the country. Datasets, including those from the India Meteorological Department, and global climate models were analysed.

 

Duration of marine heatwaves -- high ocean surface temperatures which can damage coastal ecosystems -- could increase from about 20 days per year during 1970-2000 to nearly 200 days per year by mid-century, findings published in the journal PLOS Climate indicate. The team added that compound events -- where climate hazards arise not in isolation but through an interaction -- such as‘heatwave-drought’ are of central concern for India.

 

“India’s average temperature has risen by approximately 0.89 degrees Celsius during 2015- 2024 relative to 1901-1930. Models project additional warming of about 1.2-1.3 degrees Celsius over India by mid-century under SSP2-4.5 (relative to the recent past (1995-2014),” the authors wrote. They added that while India’s warming appears muted compared to the global land temperature warming of about 1.42 degrees Celsius over the same period, several previous studies have reported temperature extremes becoming more frequent across many parts of India.