India experienced its hottest year on record in 2024, with the national average temperature 0.65°C higher than the long-term average for the period 1991-2020, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This milestone reflects a broader global trend of extreme weather driven by climate change.
Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, IMD’s director general, announced the findings in AFP report, emphasizing the severe impacts of the record-breaking heat. The year also marked the continuation of a decade of unprecedented warming, as highlighted by the United Nations, which projected 2024 to be the warmest year globally.
India, the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, faced significant challenges due to extreme weather. The country endured its longest-ever heatwave, with temperatures surpassing 45°C in many regions. In May, New Delhi matched its record high temperature of 49.2°C, initially set in 2022.
Despite pledging to achieve net zero emissions by 2070, India remains heavily dependent on coal for energy production. Scientists warn that global warming, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels, is not only raising temperatures but also amplifying storms, downpours, and other climate-related disasters that threaten lives, property, and agriculture.
