How Climate Change Will Transform India’s Weather: Expect a 43% Surge in Extreme Rainfall and Rising Temperatures

A recent study by IPE Global and Esri India highlights critical changes in India’s climate. As global temperatures rise, the country faces increasingly severe weather, with both extreme rainfall and heat becoming more common.

From 1993 to 2024, India has seen a staggering 15-fold increase in extreme heatwave days during key summer months. Just in the past decade, this spike has risen to 19 times. Major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai could see their heatwave days double by 2030.

The potential for heavy rainfall is even more alarming: up to 80% of Indian districts are expected to face more intense and unpredictable downpours by 2030. Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable, already experiencing frequent torrential rains, which are set to worsen.

The study predicts a 43% rise in extreme rainfall events, influenced by local changes such as deforestation and urban sprawl. Abinash Mohanty, the lead author, underscores the urgency of this situation. He notes that shifts like El Niño and La Niña have become stronger, causing sudden climate extremes like floods and cyclones.

To tackle these challenges, the authors suggest that India needs a new strategy for climate resilience. This includes detailed risk assessments and appointing climate risk leaders in local disaster management. As Ashwajit Singh, the founder of IPE Global, puts it, these steps are crucial for India to become a global leader in climate solutions.

With all these factors at play, it’s clear that immediate action is necessary to protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure across the country.



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Climate change, climate crisis, extreme weather events, extreme rains, extreme climate risks, science news, India Today Science