New Delhi: India skilled its hottest and driest August in recorded historical past, in keeping with the India Meteorological Division (IMD). Notably, this August marked the best temperatures since 1901, with 4 out of 5 of the most well liked August imply temperatures occurring previously seven years. The consultants say that this alarming development highlights the rising impression of local weather change, resulting in extra excessive climate occasions.
August 2023 noticed a scorching imply most temperature of 35.four levels Celsius, surpassing the conventional by 1.2 levels. The final time Safdarjung climate station in Delhi witnessed a better imply most temperature in August was in 2014 when it reached 36.three levels Celsius.
Rainfall remained elusive, making August the second driest in at the least 14 years. Safdarjung, the bottom station within the nationwide capital, suffered a rainfall deficit of 61 per cent, recording solely 91.eight mm of rainfall in comparison with the conventional 233.1 mm. Whereas August 2022 was the driest in 14 years with simply 41.6 mm of rainfall, this August marked the second driest in the identical timeframe.
On August 21, the best single-day most temperature hit 38.1 levels Celsius, whereas the imply minimal temperature for the month remained at 26.77 levels Celsius. On August 31, temperatures remained above regular, with a most of 36.eight levels Celsius and a minimal of 25.9 levels Celsius.
Nonetheless, some aid is anticipated in September as monsoon rainfall exercise is predicted to return to regular ranges all through the nation however IMD has predicted above regular temperatures for September too.
On September 1, the climate forecast company predicted that in Delhi most temperature goes to succeed in 37 levels Celsius whereas minimal will be round 27 diploma Celsius.
“In September, above-normal most temperatures are doubtless over most elements of the nation, apart from some areas in south peninsular India and some pockets in west-central India, the place regular to below-normal most temperatures are anticipated. Above-normal minimal temperatures are doubtless over most elements of the nation, apart from some areas in excessive northern India, the place regular to below-normal minimal temperatures are anticipated,” mentioned a senior IMD official.
The September forecast means that above-normal rainfall is almost definitely over many areas in northeastern India, adjoining japanese India, foothills of the Himalayas, and a few areas of east-central and south peninsular India. “Nonetheless, the likelihood of regular to below-normal rainfall is the best over the remaining elements of the nation,” mentioned the official.
