The year 2024 has been officially recognized as the hottest year in India since 1901, according to the country’s meteorological services. They reported that soaring temperatures align with a global trend of extreme weather events driven by climate change.
“The year 2024 was the hottest ever recorded since 1901,” stated Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department, during a press conference.
He noted that the average annual surface air temperature in India for 2024 was 0.65 degrees Celsius higher than the long-term average for the period from 1991 to 2020.
During 2024, India also experienced its longest heatwave on record, with temperatures surpassing 45 degrees Celsius. A significant heat episode in May saw temperatures in New Delhi reach a staggering 49.2 degrees Celsius, matching the capital’s previous record set in 2022.
Last month, the United Nations announced that 2024 is projected to be the hottest year ever recorded. Climate change has contributed to a series of unprecedented temperatures worldwide throughout 2024, resulting in natural disasters that have inflicted billions of dollars in damages.
