India Records Second-Hottest Year in 2023 (GS Paper 3, Environment)
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- India experienced a staggering rise in temperatures throughout 2023, marking it as the second-hottest year on record since the commencement of data collection 122 years ago.
- This unprecedented heatwave swept across all four seasons, defying the conventional temperature patterns typically associated with winter and summer.
Nationwide Temperature Records Shattered
- A multitude of weather stations across the country reported record-breaking high temperatures in 2023. Notably, 102 stations spanning 26 states and Union Territories documented their highest temperatures within a 24-hour period.
- Major cities such as Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Kochi, among others, grappled with these extreme conditions.
- The southern states, including Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, bore the brunt of the heatwave, with nine locations in each state setting new temperature records.
September Soars, Annual Trends Analyzed
- The month of September 2023 stood out with 34 weather sites recording unprecedented high temperatures, further accentuating the severity of the heatwave.
- An analysis from the "State of India’s Environment In Figures: 2024" study, utilizing data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), revealed a discernible increase in the lowest temperatures.
- For instance, December witnessed temperatures soaring 1.71°C above the normal average, marking the highest deviation in over a century.
Continued Trends in 2024
- The trend persisted into the early months of 2024, with below-average minimum temperatures becoming a regular occurrence in the southern peninsular region of India during January, February, and April.
- These persistent anomalies hint at a potential shift in climatic norms, particularly concerning nighttime temperatures.
Implications of Escalating Temperatures
- The alarming rise in both maximum and minimum temperatures serves as a stark indicator of climate change, carrying significant implications for the environment and human populations alike.
- Disrupted weather patterns could profoundly impact agricultural practices, water resources, and overall public health.
- As nighttime temperatures continue to climb, environmental processes and human populations accustomed to cooler nights may face unprecedented challenges.
About the India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- Established in 1875 and headquartered in New Delhi, the IMD operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, serving as the principal agency for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology in India.
- Renowned for its contributions to meteorological advancements, the IMD has spearheaded initiatives such as the development of a tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean region post-2004 tsunami and the introduction of the Effective Cyclone Intensity Scale in 2021.
- Engaging in global meteorological endeavors, the IMD classifies cyclones in the Indian Ocean, issues relevant warnings, and actively contributes data to the World Meteorological Organization.
