Context:
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), February 2025 was the hottest month recorded in India in the past 125 years.
Key Findings
Recorded-High Temperature: February 2025 had an average temperature of 22.04°C, which is 1.5°C above normal and the highest since 1901.
- It also recorded the second-highest maximum temperature (29.07°C) and the highest minimum temperature (15.02°C).
Rainfall Deficit: February 2025 was one of the driest months in the last 125 years, with a 59% rainfall deficit during the winter (January-February).
- One of the lowest rainfall totals in the past 125 years, recording only 50.2 mm of Rainfall. This was the 5th lowest since 2001 and the 18th lowest since 1901.
- Central India faced the worst drought With an 89.3% rainfall deficiency, followed by Northwest India at 64%.
Regional Impact: The heat particularly affected Central India, with temperatures 1.94°C above normal and average temperatures rising 1.73°C.
Heatwaves Forecast: Above-normal heatwave days from the March to May season 2025, impacting most of India, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Urban vulnerability: Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru are especially vulnerable to heatwaves due to urban heat island effects and inadequate infrastructure to cope with extreme temperatures.
Reason
- Climate Change: Experts link record-high temperatures and rainfall deficiency to the growing impact of Climate Change. The trend is consistent with the global pattern of increasing temperatures, as seen in 2024, the warmest on year record globally.
- Absence of Western Disturbances: The lack of adequate western disturbance in February 2025 contributed to the dry and warm conditions, especially in central and southern regions in India.
- Early summer: The Summer Season arrived earlier than usual, exacerbating the already high temperatures.
Expert Recommendations:
- Climate Action and Urban Planning: Immediate action is needed, with a focus on sustainable urban planning, increasing green cover, and improving water management in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru to cope with heatwaves.
- Enhancing Infrastructure: Strengthen urban infrastructure to mitigate heat risks, such as improving cooling systems and expanding green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect.
- Early Warning Systems: Implement effective early warning systems to alert communities about extreme weather, helping people make informed decisions to reduce heat-related risks.
- Long-Term Adaptation: Proactively adopt long-term strategies to adapt to climate change, protecting vulnerable areas and reducing its impact on cities and agriculture.