Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) published its “Climate of India during 2021” report on January 21, 2022.

Key findings of the report

• As per report, year 2021 was the fifth warmest year in India since country-wide records started in India in 1901.
• India reported a loss of 1,750 lives because of extreme weather events in 2021.
• Maharashtra was the most adversely affected state, with 350 deaths.
• Among extreme weather events, lightning & thunderstorms was responsible for highest 787 lives followed by floods, heavy rains, and landslides, causing deaths of 759 people.
• Cyclones was responsible for 172 deaths in different states in 2021.

Findings on warming phenomena

On warming phenomena, report finds that, 11 out of 15 warmest years in the India were during last fifteen years that is, 2007 to 2021. Highest warming was observed during 2016. The year reported warming of 0.71 degree Celsius above “long period average (LPA)” based on 1981-2010 period.