A new India climate study reveals India’s average temperature increased by nearly 0.9°C between 2015 and 2024, intensifying heatwaves, glacier retreat, rising sea levels, compound weather extremes and cyclone risks across multiple regions.: India’s climate has entered a critical phase, with a new multi-institutional climate study confirming that the nation’s average temperature rose by nearly 0.9°C from 2015 to 2024. The report highlights a surge in heatwaves, altered rainfall patterns and regional climate extremes, signalling the urgent need for climate-resilient planning across states.
Warming Patterns and Regional Temperature Surge
The study reveals that India is warming unevenly, creating distinct local vulnerabilities.
- The hottest day of the year is now 1.5–2°C warmer in western and northeast India compared to the 1950s.
- Warm days have increased by 5–10 days per decade, indicating prolonged summer stress.
- Climate shifts are marked by more heatwaves, irregular monsoons, and longer dry spells.
Mountain regions, coastal belts and plains all display unique patterns of climatic stress linked to rising surface temperatures and changing atmospheric circulation.
Regional Climate Impacts Intensify Across India
Himalayan & Mountain Systems
- Rapid glacier retreat in the Hindukush Himalayas
- Higher landslide and flash flood risks due to unstable melting–rainfall interactions
Indo-Gangetic Plains
- Sharp rise in heat stress
- Declining monsoon rainfall, affecting agriculture, groundwater and food security
Northwest & Western India
- More warm days and warm nights
- Increasing extreme rainfall events, raising flood risk in arid districts
Coastal India
- Rising sea levels and stronger cyclones, especially along the Arabian Sea
- Higher risk of saline intrusion, coastal erosion and infrastructure damage
Rising Threat of Compound Climate Extremes
Scientists warn of a new phenomenon: “compound extremes”, where multiple hazards occur together—such as:
- Heatwave + drought
- Extreme rainfall + flooding + landslides
- Cyclone + storm surge + coastal flooding
These overlapping stressors magnify socio-economic impacts, disrupting:
- Agriculture and livestock productivity
- Water supply and irrigation systems
- Public health and labour productivity
- Disaster-response capacity
With India’s population and economic hubs highly climate-sensitive, experts call for state-specific and sector-specific adaptation strategies.
Ocean Warming and Escalation of Sea-Level Hazards
The tropical Indian Ocean is warming faster than the global average, driving new marine threats.
- More frequent and intense marine heatwaves, endangering coral reefs and fisheries
- Pre-monsoon cyclone intensity over the Arabian Sea has risen by 40%
- Extreme sea-level events projected annually by mid-century—events that were once “once-in-a-century”
Experts recommend coastal adaptation measures such as nature-based barriers, resilient urban planning, early-warning systems and climate-proof infrastructure.
📌 Exam-Oriented Facts
- India’s average temperature rose nearly 0.9°C between 2015 and 2024.
- Warm days increased 5–10 days per decade, with heatwaves rising sharply.
- The Hindukush Himalayas show accelerated glacier retreat.
- Arabian Sea cyclone intensity has increased by 40% in recent decades.
- Extreme sea-level events may occur annually by mid-century.
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