“Climate Change Amplifies Heatwave in India: Temperatures Soar Above 45º Celsius in 37 Cities”

In a recent study conducted by scientists at ClimaMeter, a research project funded by the European Union and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), it was found that the recent heatwave in India was exacerbated by 1.5º Celsius due to human-induced climate change. The study analyzed historical data and surface temperature patterns in the region encompassing India and southern Pakistan to understand the impact of climate change on the extreme temperatures experienced in the month of May.

The analysis compared the current heatwave event (2001-2023) to what it would have looked like in the past (1979-2001). While both human-driven climate change and natural climate variability played a role in the heatwave, the study found that the temperatures recorded during the recent event were at least 1.5º Celsius warmer than they would have been in the past. This significant increase in temperature was observed over a large area of the region analyzed.

The study also highlighted the impact of urbanization on temperature changes, noting that cities like New Delhi, Jalandhar, and Larkana were more than 1º Celsius warmer in the present compared to the past. The researchers adjusted their findings with data from the India Meteorological Department, correcting for inaccuracies such as the erroneous reading of 53º Celsius.

Lead researcher David Faranda of French CNRS emphasized the role of human activities, particularly fossil fuel burning, in driving the extreme heat experienced in India. He stressed the urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions to prevent exceeding critical temperature thresholds in subtropical regions.

Gianmarco Mengaldo from the National University of Singapore, who also contributed to the study, highlighted the complex interplay between natural variability and climate change in exacerbating heatwaves. He warned that without immediate action to curb emissions, heatwaves in tropical and subtropical regions could become even more severe in the future.

The findings of the study underscore the urgent need for global action to address climate change and its impact on extreme weather events. As temperatures continue to rise, it is crucial for policymakers, businesses, and individuals to take proactive steps to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect vulnerable communities from the devastating consequences of extreme heatwaves.

Published on June 7, 2024, at 23:17 IST, this study serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need to address climate change and its far-reaching implications for our planet.