MELTDOWN! HOTTEST APRIL IN 122 YEARS

The average maximum temperatures in Northwest India and Central India in April were the highest ever in 122 years. The country as a whole recorded the thirdhighest average maximum temperature this year. The highest was in 2010; the second-highest in 2016.

In April, Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar crossed 45 degrees Celsius (°C) six times, three of which were consecutively on April 28, 29, and 30.

Between April 20 and

April 30, Maharashtra’s Chandrapur crossed 45°C five times. The same happened with Jharkhand’s Medininagar (formerly Daltonganj) between April

18 and April 30, reveals the data accessed from the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD’S) climate research and services division.

“March experienced the highest number of heatwave episodes this year since 2010, but for April, 2010 still remains the highest, mainly because the eastern parts of the country had experienced such conditions (on a large scale at that time). This year, only Northwest and Central India experienced more such incidents (making it the second-highest),” said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director-general, IMD, in a presentation to the media.

Mohapatra attributed the unusual summer heat this year to deficient rainfall.

“East, Northeast, and South India have got very good rainfall activity, which did not allow temperatures to rise. Northwest and Central India received scanty rainfall,” he said.

Mohapatra said that one cannot quantify the impact of climate change, but it is certainly there and the data of the past 50 years shows an overall rising trend in maximum temperatures.