New Delhi: India experienced a staggering 536 heatwave days this summer, the highest in the past 14 years, with the northwestern region recording its warmest June since 1901, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra revealed these figures during a virtual press conference on Monday.
“In the summer of 2024, India experienced a total of 536 heatwave days, the highest since 2010 when there were 578 days. June alone saw 181 heatwave days, surpassing the 177 days recorded in 2010,” Mohapatra stated.
Temperature and Rainfall Records
The monthly average maximum temperature in northwest India reached 38.02 degrees Celsius, which is 1.96 degrees Celsius above the norm. The average minimum temperature stood at 25.44 degrees Celsius, 1.35 degrees Celsius higher than normal. The region recorded a mean temperature of 31.73 degrees Celsius in June, marking the highest since 1901 and 1.65 degrees Celsius above normal.
Northeast India faced a significant 33% rainfall deficit in June, which Mohapatra attributed to the sluggish advancement of the monsoon over the northern and eastern parts of the country due to a lack of weather systems. “Only one low-pressure area developed towards the end of June. Normally, we see three low-pressure systems. The Madden-Julian Oscillation was not favorable, hindering enhanced convection and low-pressure systems,” he explained.
The absence of active western disturbances, especially from June 10 to June 19, contributed to the prolonged dry spell and persistent heatwave conditions over northwest and central India.
The intense heat led to more than 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases and over 100 heat-related deaths across the country. The extreme temperatures overwhelmed water supply systems and power grids, with Delhi facing a severe water crisis.
Around 40% of the country recorded double the usual number of heatwave days from April to June. Temperatures soared past 50 degrees Celsius in parts of Rajasthan, with night-time temperatures hovering around 35 degrees Celsius in many places. Delhi experienced 40 consecutive days of temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius since May 13, resulting in approximately 60 heat-related deaths, according to media reports.
The IMD had initially predicted 10 to 20 heatwave days during the summer season, compared to the normal four to eight days. However, different regions, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Gujarat, recorded 20 to 38 heatwave days each.
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