In its latest report, on ‘Climate of India’, India Meteorological Department (IMD), stated that while 2016 was the warmest, 11 out of the 15 warmest years have so far all been within the last 15 years (2004-18). Floods triggered by heavy rains took more than 800 lives across states in 2018, which was the sixth warmest year on record, raising concerns over the increasing human cost of climate change.

 The increase in temperatures (Global warming) is likely to lead to more extreme weather events across India. The trends of global warming being witnessed in India are:

• IMD also noted that the rate of increase of temperatures over India is almost similar to the global average.
• The annual mean land-surface air temperature for the country was +0.41°C above the 1981-2010 average, showing an increasing warming trend.
• The global warming has in turn triggered many weather events like floods and heavy rain (seen in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha), Lightning and Thunderstorms (Uttarpradesh), Heat Waves ( Central India and Telangana),Dust Storms ( Rajasthan) and Snow Avalanche and Cold waves (J&K, UP, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana).

The five warmest years on record in order are 2016 (+0.7 °C), 2009 (+0.56°C), 2017 (+0.5°C), 2010 (+0.54°C) and 2015 (+0.42°C) ever since the nation-wide records commenced in 1901.

• Uttar Pradesh was the most affected by extreme-weather events, reporting 600 deaths due to cold waves, thunderstorms, dust storms, lightning and floods.
• The coastal regions bore the brunt of as many as seven cyclonic storms that formed over the north Indian Ocean last year. This was attributed to increased Sea Surface Temperature.
• The anomaly in winter temperatures (+0.59°C) and those of the pre-monsoon (+0.55°C) season contributed to this warming.
• Kerala floods were due to unusually heavy rains and are very rare over Kerala, which is not conventionally flood prone. The thunderstorm activity also was unique due to prolonged days of activity and severity.
• Temperatures are increasing during both day and night time.
• According to a Quartz report, heat-waves have increased in duration. Global warming could further increase both their frequency as well as intensity. This would, in turn, pose a threat to public health.
• High-velocity dust storms and thunderstorms seen in North India in April and May last year and then, later in June-July.
• The effects of climate change are also harming the health of agricultural crops. The agriculture ministry recently said that the wheat production in India will decrease by 6-23% by 2050. The production of maize, paddy, sorghum, mustard, potato, cotton and coconut are also likely to be affected.
• Two Thirds of Glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya Could Melt by 2100. About 15% has already melted due to Global Warming. This was further aggravate weather events in the Northern Indian region.

Conclusion:

Global Warming has the capability of triggering many other weather events. IMD predicts that the impact is getting more and more severe. India has been witnessing increased instances of such events causing great harm to people and resources. There is a need to mitigate the global warming as it impacts the developing nations more strongly.