Impact of Global Warming on India's Climate: Rising Temperatures, Extreme Weather, and Rising Sea Levels:

The surface air temperature in India has risen by 0.7°C between 1901 and 2018, and the sea surface temperatures in the tropical Indian Ocean increased by 1°C from 1951 to 2015. Minister for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh shared this data in Parliament, highlighting the impact of global warming on India’s climate. He pointed out the increasing monsoon variability, extreme weather events, and shifting patterns caused by the warming of our planet.

Understanding Surface Air and Sea Surface Temperatures

Surface air temperature is the temperature of the air close to the Earth's surface, usually measured about 2 meters above the ground. This is the temperature that is reported in daily weather forecasts. On the other hand, sea surface temperature refers to the temperature of the ocean's uppermost layer, which is essential for monitoring ocean health and understanding climate change trends.

Global Warming and Rising Temperatures: Concerns for India’s Future

In 2024, for the first time, global temperatures surpassed the 1.5°C threshold, an important milestone that signifies a more extreme warming trend worldwide. Singh noted the rise in temperatures has led to significant shifts in India’s weather, including more variable monsoon seasons and a rise in extreme climatic events.

The impact of climate change is felt particularly in central and northern India and the western Himalayas, where extreme precipitation events have become more frequent. At the same time, northwest and central India have seen moderate drought conditions and the expansion of semi-arid regions. Coastal areas are increasingly vulnerable to cyclone-related disasters, while the Himalayan region is experiencing warming patterns, retreating glaciers, and changes in snowfall.

Rising Sea Levels and Extreme Weather Events in India

In addition to temperature changes, the minister shared data about rising sea levels in the Indian Ocean, which have been increasing at a rate of about 1.7 mm per year from 1900 to 2000, with an accelerated rate of 3.3 mm per year in the north Indian Ocean since 1993. The rapid warming of the Indian Ocean is closely linked to the rise in extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and cyclones, that India has been facing.

The decaying phase of El Niño is one of the most influential factors contributing to heatwaves in the region. According to the minister, over 70–80% of observed heatwave days in the Indian Ocean basin are a result of this phenomenon.

Heatwaves and Fatalities: Rising Risks for India

Global warming is also having a direct impact on the frequency of heatwaves in India. In 2022, the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) reported that 730 people lost their lives due to heatwaves. The number of fatalities in previous years was 374 in 2021 and 530 in 2020. India has recorded an earlier-than-usual heatwave season in 2024, with Goa and Maharashtra experiencing the first heatwave of the year in February, a first for the winter season (January–February). February 2025 also marked the hottest February in 125 years, according to the India Meteorological Department.