In 2024, India experienced its hottest year since records began in 1901, with an average temperature of 25.75°C, surpassing the previous record set in 2016.
This unprecedented heat was driven by a combination of human-induced climate change and the natural El Niño phenomenon, which together intensified global temperatures.
The extreme heat had significant impacts across the country, including increased mortality rates, heightened demand for cooling appliances, and severe strains on infrastructure.
The record-breaking temperatures underscore the urgent need for comprehensive climate action to mitigate the effects of global warming and adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
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Why 2024 Was the Hottest Year on Record in India
India recorded its hottest year on record in 2024, with significant implications for the environment and public health. Here’s an overview of the key factors contributing to this unprecedented heat.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
- Annual Mean Temperature: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the annual mean land surface air temperature for 2024 was 25.75 degrees Celsius, which is 0.65 degrees Celsius above the long-term average (1991-2020) and the highest since records began in 1901.
- Minimum and Maximum Temperatures: The average minimum temperature was 20.24 degrees Celsius, exceeding the norm by 0.90 degrees Celsius, while the average maximum temperature reached 31.25 degrees Celsius, which is 0.20 degrees Celsius above normal.
Climate Change Impact
- Heatwaves: India experienced its longest heatwave in history, with temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in many regions, contributing to extreme weather patterns across the country.
- Global Trends: The record heat in India aligns with a broader global pattern of rising temperatures, driven by climate change. The United Nations noted that 2024 was set to be the warmest year globally, exacerbating natural disasters and causing extensive damage worldwide.
Historical Context
Comparison with Previous Records: The previous record was set in 2016 when temperatures were 0.54 degrees Celsius above the long-term average. The consistent rise in temperatures over the years indicates a troubling trend linked to climate change.
Implications
- Public Health and Urban Planning: The extreme heat has raised concerns regarding public health, urban infrastructure, and tourism activities, highlighting the urgent need for climate resilience strategies in India.
- Future Projections: Experts predict that 2025 may continue this trend of rising temperatures, emphasising the need for immediate action to mitigate climate change effects.
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How 2024's Record Heat Compares to Previous Years
In 2024, India experienced its hottest year on record since systematic temperature measurements began in 1901, surpassing previous highs set in earlier years, particularly 2016.
Here’s a detailed comparison of 2024's record heat with previous years:
Temperature Records
2024: The annual mean temperature was 25.75 degrees Celsius, which is 0.65 degrees Celsius above the long-term average (1991-2020) and the highest recorded since 1901.
The average minimum temperature reached 20.24 degrees Celsius, exceeding the norm by 0.90 degrees Celsius, while the average maximum temperature was 31.25 degrees Celsius, 0.20 degrees Celsius above normal.
2016: Previously, the hottest year was 2016, with a mean land surface air temperature that was 0.54 degrees Celsius above normal.
The significant difference between 2016 and 2024 is 0.11 degrees Celsius, highlighting the increased intensity of heat in 2024 compared to past records.
Monthly and Seasonal Trends
In 2024, several months recorded unprecedented temperatures:
- July, August, September, and October had the highest average minimum temperatures ever recorded for those months.
- October 2024 was noted as the warmest month in over a century.
- The last three months of 2024 (October to December) also set records for warmth, indicating a trend of increasing temperatures during typically cooler months.
Extreme Weather Events
The year was marked by severe heatwaves, with peak temperatures reaching up to 50.5 degrees Celsius in regions like Churu, Rajasthan, resulting in significant health impacts and casualties.
Compared to previous years, 2024 saw an increase in extreme heat days globally, with reports indicating an additional 41 days of dangerously high temperatures compared to prior years.
Global Context
The record heat in India mirrors global trends, as 2024 was one of the warmest years globally, with average global temperatures surpassing the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for the first time.
According to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the average temperature was 1.6°C above preindustrial levels, a 0.1°C rise from 2023, marking an unprecedented level of heat.
On July 10, 2024, nearly half of the planet—44%—experienced intense to extreme heat stress, and July 22 saw the hottest day ever recorded.
The soaring temperatures, combined with record atmospheric water vapour levels, led to historic heatwaves and intense rainfall, impacting millions of people. The severity of living at 1.5°C points to various disasters exacerbated by climate change, such as floods in Valencia, hurricanes in the US, typhoons in the Philippines, and droughts in the Amazon.
The root cause of this heating is the burning of fossil fuels, and unless coal, oil, and gas are replaced, the damage to lives and livelihoods will only intensify.
While the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target is measured over several decades, a single year exceeding this level doesn’t mean the target is missed, but it highlights the escalating climate crisis. The last decade has seen each year among the hottest on record, dating back to 1850.
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