CHENNAI: If the dog days of the past three days made you bemuse that Chennai is the hottest city, you are right as science also corroborates. An analy The study conducted by the Urban Lab of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said that due to the rise of relative humidity during summer, the
इस हफ्ते जानलेवा होती जा रही गर्मी और सातवें चरण के चुनावों को लेकर चर्चा हुई. चर्चा के प्रमुख विषय गुजरात के एक गेम जोन और दिल्ली में बच्चों के एक अस्पताल में लगी आग, सैंकड़ों महिलाओं के शारीरिक शोषण के आरोप में प्रज्ज्वल रेवन्ना गिरफ्तार, पूर्व अमेरिकी राष्ट्रपति डोनाल्ड ट्रम्प 34 मामलों में दोषी क़रार, डेरा सच्चा सौदा प्रमुख गुरमीत राम रहीम हत्या के एक मामले में बरी और पूर्वोत्तर भारत में रीमल नामी चक्रवाती तूफ़ान से आई तबाही के अलावा भाजपा प्रत्याशी करण भूषण सिंह के गाड़ियों के क़ाफ़िले से 2 लोगों की मौत आदि रहे. इस हफ्ते चर्चा में वरिष्ठ पत्रकार स्मिता शर्मा, तमल साहा और सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट के लीड कंसलटेंट अविकल सोमवंशी शामिल हुए. इसके अलावा न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री टीम से प्रधान संपादक रमन किरपाल और विकास जांगड़ा ने हिस्सा लिया. वहीं, चर्चा का संचालन शार्दूल कात्यायन ने किया. चर्चा की शुरुआत करते हुए शार्दूल कहते हैं, “मैंने व्यक्तिगत तौर पर यह महसूस किया है कि इस बार गर्मी में खास बात यह है कि रात को भी तापमान नीचे नहीं जा रहा. इसके पीछे कारण क्या हैं?” अविकल इस सवाल के जवाब में कहते हैं, “मैंने भारत के 6 महानगरों का पिछले 20 सालों का डाटा देखा. जिसमें यह काफी स्पष्ट रूप से नज़र आ रहा है कि सदी की शुरुआत में दिल्ली में दिन के मुक़ाबले रात को तापमान 12 से 14 डिग्री नीचे होता था लेकिन पिछले दो सालों से यह बस 8 या 9 डिग्री जा रहा है. यह खतरनाक भी है. इससे इंसान की काम करने की क्षमता भी प्रभावित हो रही है. एक रिपोर्ट के अनुसार रात की गर्मी दिन की गर्मी से ज़्यादा खतरनाक है.” सुनिए पूरी चर्चा - Support independent media. We serve you, not the advertisers. Pay to keep news free. Subscribe now टाइम कोड्स 00 - 02:45 - इंट्रो और जरूरी सूचना 02:45 - 11:30 - सुर्खियां 11:30 - 46:22 - जानलेवा होती गर्मी 46:22 - 1:28:40 - सातवें चरण का चुनाव 1:28:40 - 1:23:15 - सब्सक्राइबर्स के पत्र 1:36:15 - सलाह और सुझाव पत्रकारों की राय क्या देखा, पढ़ा और सुना जाए स्मिता शर्मा स्वतंत्र मीडिया को सहयोग दें रेड माइक चैनल पैर सौरभ शुक्ला की रिपोर्ट्स अविकल सोमवंशी सेंटर फॉर साइंस की हीट वेव पर रिपोर्ट तमल साहा न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री की चुनावी कवरेज तमल साहा की न्यूज़ वेबसाइट न्यूज़ द ट्रुथ विकास जांगड़ा वेब सीरीज : लॉ एंड आर्डर मुग़ले आज़म का गीत: तेरी महफ़िल में क़िस्मत आज़मा कर हम भी देखेंगे रमन किरपाल न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री के रिपोर्टर बसंत कुमार की चुनावी कवरेज इंडियन एक्सप्रेस की रिपोर्ट : व्हेन अ वेडिंग काल्ड ऑफ ओवर अ किस वेब सीरीज: स्कूल ऑफ़ लाइज शार्दूल कात्यायन वेब सीरीज : फॉलआउट फिल्म: जाने भी दो यारों बीबीसी की रिपोर्ट: क्लाइमेट चेंज ट्रांसक्रिप्शन: तस्नीम फातिमा प्रोड्यूसर: आशीष आनंद एडिटिंग: उमराव सिंह
Delhi was among the 12 states and Union territories (UT) that recorded the highest number of days with extreme weather events in the first three months of this year, reveals Centre for Science and Environment’s State of Environment report 2024. The report said Delhi saw 15 extreme weather events from Jan to March 2024, mostly cold days or cold waves, against 12 each recorded during the same period in 2023 and 2022. “From Jan to March 2024, at least 12 states/UTs, including Delhi, recorded their highest number of days with extreme weather events in the past three years,” it added. Between Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2023, India experienced extreme weather events on 318 of the 365 days. These events claimed 3,287 lives and devastated 2.2 million hectare crop area, revealed the report, which had sourced data from the disaster management division of Union home ministry, India Meteorological Department and media reports. Of the 15 extreme weather events in Delhi in 2024, 14 were cold waves or cold days in Jan, while one incident of lightning and storm took place on March 3. “However, as Delhi has been witnessing blistering heat in May, the number of extreme events is expected to rise this year,” said one of the researchers. Sunita Narain, director general of CSE, said, “Even as we are releasing this report, India is going through an intense heatwave. This is a time when we cannot but understand the crisis of a changing climate. This is borne out by the data in this report — there is clear evidence that heat is rising and extreme weather events are breaking the backs of the poorest in our world.” The report stated that 2023 was India’s second hottest year on record, with 102 weather stations across 26 of 36 states/UTs witnessing record-breaking temperatures. It was also a very wet year, with 69 weather stations across 23 states/UTs registering record-breaking rainfall. According to the report, in the first three months of 2023, lightning and storms dominated as the most common extreme weather events in the country. However, in 2024, cold wave or cold days were the most frequent occurrence during this period. Despite this shift, hailstorms, categorised with lightning and storms, maintained their widespread impact across 25 states/UTs. In contrast, cold wave/cold days were reported in 13 states/UTs. Rajit Sengupta, one of the lead researchers, said, “Hailstorms (classified under lightning and storms) were geographically the most widespread event, with 25 states/UTs reporting them.” Between Jan and March 2024, extreme weather events claimed 71 human lives and damaged 0.1 million hectares of crop land across the country.
When the thermometer at Delhi’s meteorological station in Mungeshpur read 52.9°C on May 29 and the one at Nagpur’s Automatic Weather Station (AWS) showed 56°C on May 30, it triggered panic across the country since they were seen as tipping points in the climate change fallout. Soon, a team of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) started investigating whether there was any equipment malfunction or were there local factors behind the record breaking temperatures since the IMD’s inception in 1875. The Met office has since clarified that Nagpur’s 56°C was due to a sensor error. Be that as it may, Delhi has been baking at close to 50°C since the last few days. In fact, many parts of North, West, East and Central India turned into a frying pan as temperatures have been ranging between 45°C and 51°C since the past seven days. For instance, Phalodi and Churu in Rajasthan crossed 50°C for a couple of days, Sirsa in Haryana recorded over 50°C and many cities such as Chandigarh (46°C), Amethi (47.2°C), Karwar (38°C), Prayagraj (48.8°C), Agra (48°C), Rohtak (48.8°C) set a new records of maximum temperatures in their respective regions. The IMD recorded temperatures over 45°C in 83 meteorological stations in Northern India. The figures were up to 9°C above normal, as severe heat wave conditions prevailed over many parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and some pockets of Himachal Pradesh. Earlier in April, intense heat waves were reported from Southern peninsular India and Eastern India. At many places, soaring temperatures broke records and caused severe water crisis. However, the situation comparatively eased in peninsular India in early May while North India continued to reel under the heatwave. IMD data shows that there was a 45% increase in heatwave days in May. The normal heatwave days for May is 92, but it shot up to 133. Similarly, in April, the number of heatwave days were 66% above the normal range. (see table) Against the normal three days of heatwave in each meteorological region in May, Gujarat experienced 12 days, Rajasthan (9-12 days), Delhi, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Telangana seven days each, Karnataka, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh six days each and Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Bengal five days each. Next Stay April had 118 days of heatwave against an average of 71 days. Instead of two days of normal heatwave, Odisha (18 days — 2 in the first half of the month and 16 in the second half) reported the highest of heatwave days in the past nine years. West Bengal had 16 such days, which was its highest in 15 years. Heatwaves were also reported in Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Interior Karnataka (10 days), Southern Karnataka (8 days), Tamil Nadu and Sikkim (7 days). Odisha got the longest spell of heatwave in April 2024 from April 15-30 (16 days). Its previous highest was in April 2016 when it prevailed between April 9 and 30 (21 days). A recent study shows that an average person on earth experienced 26 more days of abnormally high temperatures in the past year than would have been the case without human-induced climate change. It said that in the last 12 months, some 6.3 billion people — roughly 80% of the global population — experienced at least 31 days of what is classed as extreme heat. The report was published by the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, the World Weather Attribution scientific network and the non-profit research organisation Climate Central. Even the World Health Organisation states that the number of people exposed to extreme heat is growing exponentially due to climate change in all the global regions. Heat-related mortality for people over 65 years of age increased by approximately 85% between 2000–2004 and 2017–2021. According to the IMD’s latest Heat Index, the human body will experience above 600C in Eastern India, the Gangetic plains and the Eastern coasts up to Tamil Nadu. The Heat Index is a measure of how hot it really feels outside by taking into account humidity along with temperature. Moreover, a new analysis by a Delhi-based environment think tank, the Centre for Science and Environment, shows that the heat stress is not just about rising temperature. It is a deadly combination of air temperature, land surface temperature and relative humidity that leads to thermal discomfort in cities and increases the disease burden. No centralised record of heat related illness Extreme heat can cause serious health issues and can be fatal to outdoor workers, the elderly and people with existing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, mental health, asthma, etc. The weather office has issued red alerts in many states to take precautions against heat-related illness. There were reports of 50 school students fainting and at least 14 deaths in Bihar due to heat related illness. Besides, 19 people died in Odisha due to suspected heatstroke. In Delhi, paid work break from 12 noon to 3 pm has been made mandatory for outdoor workers. These are some of the widely reported incidents. But the government does not collect centralised data on heat related disasters ostensibly to avoid public anxiety. “When required we ask the respective state authority to provide data on heat-related disasters to frame policy,” said a senior member of the National Disaster Management Authority. “The data is controlled and monitored at the Prime Minister’s Office, so it is not easily available to the public,” he added. A recent study shows that in the past two decades, approximately half a million people died due to heat-related illness. Out of it, 45% were in Asia and 36% in Europe. In 2021, Athens became the world’s first city to appoint a Heat officer, a formal step to recognise heat as a disaster that needs mitigation. Experts believe that India needs to recognise heat as a disaster and take concrete steps to reduce the disease burden.
‘Milk samples in Punjab found adulterated,’ ‘26% milk & dairy product samples found adulterated in Guwahati,’ and ‘Men held for selling adulterated milk in Hyderabad,’ are only a few headlines of the most-read digital media platforms in 2024. These reports have created fear among consumers. The worrying aspect is that it is not just milk that is adulterated but many vendors are selling expired food items and dishes cooked or stored in an unhygienic environment. A 2024 report published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a public-interest research organisation in New Delhi, indicated that at least 70% of the milk samples collected across India were found to be adulterated.
“As the World Environment Day (June 5) draws near, India awaits the end of its national elections and declaration of their results. The State of India’s Environment in Figures – an annual publication by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth magazine – is a unique collation of statistics which provides a snapshot of the state of affairs in the country using numbers. What it also provides is an agenda for development, based on hard facts and data, to the new-old government that will emerge to take hold of the reins of the country,” said Sunita Narain, director general of CSE, here today. She was speaking at a webinar organised by CSE to release the 2024 edition of the State of India’s Environment in Figures. Narain added: “The numbers revealed by this report do paint a grim picture. But therein hides an opportunity. In painting its picture, the report outlines the priorities for the new regime – the sectors where we must craft our development plans, keeping in mind the climate crisis that we face today.” SOE in Figures, as the report is referred to, reveals some alarming truths indeed. Take the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a score of a little over 63 out of 100, India ranks a dismal 112th among 166 nations with respect to its preparedness to meet the Goals. India’s renewable energy generation (including hydro) has actually gone down by 1.5 per cent between 2022-23 and 2023-24 – 23 states and Union territories (UTs) have witnessed a drop. Per capita health expenditure is dipping as well: 12 states rank below the national average. The area insured under the national crop insurance scheme decreased by 12 per cent in 2022-23 compared to when the scheme was initiated. State of the states Says Richard Mahapatra, managing editor of Down To Earth: “The SOE in Figures tells us that many states and UTs are grappling with low per capita health expenditure, high incidence of non-communicable diseases, declining renewable energy generation, inadequate crop insurance coverage and deteriorating soil health.” In 26 states/UTs, non-communicable diseases account for 50 per cent of the total deaths. These states/UTs include Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana and most states in the northeastern parts of the country, among others. Twenty-three of the states/UTs have not achieved 100 per cent tap water connections in rural households, with West Bengal emerging as one of the states lagging behind. Nine of the states/UTs have air pollution levels so high that reducing their PM2.5 levels to the recommended standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) can extend the average lifespan of their residents by five years and three months. Among those which indicate a high potential gain in life expectancy are Delhi (11 years and 10 months), Uttar Pradesh (8 years and 10 months), Haryana (8 years and 4 months) and Bihar (7 years and 11 months), among others. In terms of per capita power availability, 16 states/UTs had a lower than national average – big states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Jharkhand, Assam and Bihar feature in the list. State of climate Climate change has been at work; SOE in Figures says 2023 was India’s second hottest year on record — 102 weather stations across 26 out of 36 states/UTs witnessed record-breaking temperatures. It was also a very wet year, with 69 weather stations across 23 states/UTs registering record-breaking rainfall. Between January 1 and December 31, 2023, India experienced extreme weather events on 318 of the 365 days, says the report. These events claimed 3,287 lives and devastated 2.2 million hectare of crop area. In the first three months of 2023, lightning and storms were the most frequent extreme weather events. Says Rajit Sengupta, one of the lead researchers behind the CSE report: “Hailstorms (classified under lightning and storms) were geographically the most widespread event, with 25 states/UTs reporting them.” Adds Kiran Pandey, the other lead researcher: “In terms of the human costs, we have found that close to 90 per cent of new internal displacements in India have been due to climate-related events. India ranks as the 20th most disaster-affected country in the world.” In terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, India’s share jumped up 115 per cent between 1994 and 2019: in 2019, the country emitted 2,647 million tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent of GHGs. The energy industry was the biggest emitter: accounting for 76 per cent of the total national carbon dioxide emissions in 2019. The SOE in Figures also points out that the land use, land use change and forests sector removed/absorbed 20 per cent of India’s emissions in 2019. Said Narain: “Even as we are releasing this report, India is going through an intense heat wave. This is a time when we cannot but understand the crisis of a changing climate. This is borne out by the data in this report — there is clear evidence that heat is rising and extreme weather events are breaking the backs of the poorest in our world.” Narain reiterated: “In such a scenario, our report points to priorities for planning — water scarcity, water pollution, air pollution in cities, declining public transport, etc. This is where our focus has to be. This is a world where plans have to be crafted keeping in mind the crisis of climate change; but this is also a world where we would have the opportunity to address this crisis. We need clever solutions that will work for us – growth, livelihoods and wellbeing for all — and also address climate change.”
As a prelude to World Environment Day, the release of "State of India's Environment 2024 in Figures" offers an in-depth, data-centric analysis of the country's environmental performance. This 9th eBook in the special dataset series takes an innovative approach, diving into a wealth of government and credible source data on India's environment and development. Utilising cutting-edge tools, the report processes vast amounts of raw data into insightful infographics that tell a comprehensive story for each subject area. From climate change and extreme weather events to health, food security, migration, agriculture, energy, waste, water, and biodiversity – no stone is left unturned. "With each dataset, we have tried to provide the complete picture with deep data wisdom," stated the publishers. "Every data point you encounter represents 12 months of meticulous tracking to make sense of the complex information and present credible statements." In addition to the national perspective, the report analyses and ranks the performance of India's states on key environmental parameters, making sense of regional environmental affairs through data that might otherwise remain obscure statistics. "'State of India's Environment 2024: In Figures' harnesses the best available data to narrate India's environmental journey – its successes, failures, and gaps," the publishers added. The eBook is available for purchase, offering readers a complementary resource to the previously released "State of India's Environment 2024" annual report. For a limited time, it is offered at a special price.
As World Environment Day (June 5) approaches, and with India poised for the declaration of its national election results, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) along with Down To Earth magazine has released the 2024 edition of "State of India’s Environment in Figures." This annual publication offers a comprehensive snapshot of India's environmental status through a collation of critical statistics, providing an agenda for development grounded in factual data for the forthcoming government. Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE, introduced the report during a webinar, highlighting its significance. Narain explained that the numbers revealed by the report paint a grim picture, but also present an opportunity. By outlining the priorities for the new regime, the report identifies the sectors where development plans must be crafted with the climate crisis in mind. The report reveals some alarming truths about India’s progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the country ranking 112th out of 166 nations and scoring just over 63 out of 100, indicating poor preparedness to meet these goals. Renewable energy generation, including hydro, has declined by 1.5% between 2022-23 and 2023-24, with 23 states and Union territories (UTs) experiencing a drop. Per capita health expenditure is also falling, with 12 states below the national average, and coverage under the national crop insurance scheme decreased by 12% in 2022-23 compared to its inception. Richard Mahapatra, Managing Editor of Down To Earth, highlighted the challenges faced by states and UTs, including low health expenditure, high non-communicable diseases, declining renewable energy, inadequate crop insurance, and deteriorating soil health. In 26 states/UTs, non-communicable diseases account for 50% of total deaths, including in Delhi, Goa, and Kerala. Furthermore, 23 states/UTs, including West Bengal, have not achieved 100% tap water connections in rural households. Nine states/UTs have dangerously high PM2.5 levels, with Delhi residents potentially gaining up to 11 years of life expectancy if levels were reduced to WHO standards. The report underscores the escalating climate crisis, noting that 2023 was India’s second hottest year on record, with record-breaking temperatures in 102 weather stations across 26 states/UTs. It was also a very wet year, with 69 weather stations across 23 states/UTs registering record-breaking rainfall. India experienced extreme weather on 318 days in 2023, resulting in 3,287 deaths and 2.2 million hectares of crop damage. Additionally, 90% of new internal displacements were due to climate-related events, ranking India as the 20th most disaster-affected country globally. India's greenhouse gas emissions surged by 115% from 1994 to 2019, with the energy industry contributing 76% of the total emissions. The land use, land use change, and forestry sector mitigated 20% of these emissions in 2019. Narain emphasized the urgent need for strategic planning to tackle water scarcity, pollution, and declining public transport amidst the climate crisis. She called for innovative solutions that promote growth, livelihoods, and well-being while addressing climate change. She stressed that even as the report is being released, India is going through an intense heat wave, underscoring the urgency of understanding the crisis of a changing climate.
“As the World Environment Day (June 5) draws near, India awaits the end of its national elections and declaration of their results. The State of India’s Environment in Figures – an annual publication by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth magazine – is a unique collation of statistics which provides a snapshot of the state of affairs in the country using numbers. What it also provides is an agenda for development, based on hard facts and data, to the new-old government that will emerge to take hold of the reins of the country,” said Sunita Narain, director general of CSE, here today. She was speaking at a webinar organised by CSE to release the 2024 edition of the State of India’s Environment in Figures. Narain added: “The numbers revealed by this report do paint a grim picture. But therein hides an opportunity. In painting its picture, the report outlines the priorities for the new regime – the sectors where we must craft our development plans, keeping in mind the climate crisis that we face today.” SOE in Figures, as the report is referred to, reveals some alarming truths indeed. Take the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a score of a little over 63 out of 100, India ranks a dismal 112th among 166 nations with respect to its preparedness to meet the Goals. India’s renewable energy generation (including hydro) has actually gone down by 1.5 per cent between 2022-23 and 2023-24 – 23 states and Union territories (UTs) have witnessed a drop. Per capita health expenditure is dipping as well: 12 states rank below the national average. The area insured under the national crop insurance scheme decreased by 12 per cent in 2022-23 compared to when the scheme was initiated. State of the states Says Richard Mahapatra, managing editor of Down To Earth: “The SOE in Figures tells us that many states and UTs are grappling with low per capita health expenditure, high incidence of non-communicable diseases, declining renewable energy generation, inadequate crop insurance coverage and deteriorating soil health.” In 26 states/UTs, non-communicable diseases account for 50 per cent of the total deaths. These states/UTs include Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana and most states in the northeastern parts of the country, among others. Twenty-three of the states/UTs have not achieved 100 per cent tap water connections in rural households, with West Bengal emerging as one of the states lagging behind. Nine of the states/UTs have air pollution levels so high that reducing their PM2.5 levels to the recommended standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) can extend the average lifespan of their residents by five years and three months. Among those which indicate a high potential gain in life expectancy are Delhi (11 years and 10 months), Uttar Pradesh (8 years and 10 months), Haryana (8 years and 4 months) and Bihar (7 years and 11 months), among others. In terms of per capita power availability, 16 states/UTs had a lower than national average – big states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Jharkhand, Assam and Bihar feature in the list. State of climate Climate change has been at work; SOE in Figures says 2023 was India’s second hottest year on record — 102 weather stations across 26 out of 36 states/UTs witnessed record-breaking temperatures. It was also a very wet year, with 69 weather stations across 23 states/UTs registering record-breaking rainfall. Between January 1 and December 31, 2023, India experienced extreme weather events on 318 of the 365 days, says the report. These events claimed 3,287 lives and devastated 2.2 million hectare of crop area. In the first three months of 2023, lightning and storms were the most frequent extreme weather events. Says Rajit Sengupta, one of the lead researchers behind the CSE report: “Hailstorms (classified under lightning and storms) were geographically the most widespread event, with 25 states/UTs reporting them.” Adds Kiran Pandey, the other lead researcher: “In terms of the human costs, we have found that close to 90 per cent of new internal displacements in India have been due to climate-related events. India ranks as the 20th most disaster-affected country in the world.” In terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, India’s share jumped up 115 per cent between 1994 and 2019: in 2019, the country emitted 2,647 million tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent of GHGs. The energy industry was the biggest emitter: accounting for 76 per cent of the total national carbon dioxide emissions in 2019. The SOE in Figures also points out that the land use, land use change and forests sector removed/absorbed 20 per cent of India’s emissions in 2019. Said Narain: “Even as we are releasing this report, India is going through an intense heat wave. This is a time when we cannot but understand the crisis of a changing climate. This is borne out by the data in this report — there is clear evidence that heat is rising and extreme weather events are breaking the backs of the poorest in our world.” Narain reiterated: “In such a scenario, our report points to priorities for planning — water scarcity, water pollution, air pollution in cities, declining public transport, etc. This is where our focus has to be. This is a world where plans have to be crafted keeping in mind the crisis of climate change; but this is also a world where we would have the opportunity to address this crisis. We need clever solutions that will work for us – growth, livelihoods and wellbeing for all — and also address climate change.”
The report revealed that Delhi recorded 15 extreme weather events from January to March 2024, primarily cold days or cold waves. This marks an increase from the 12 events recorded during the same period in both 2023 and 2022. The Centre for Science and Environment's (CSE) State of Environment report for 2024 revealed that Delhi was among 12 states and Union territories (UTs) that experienced the highest number of extreme weather events in the first three months of 2024. The report revealed that Delhi recorded 15 extreme weather events from January to March 2024, primarily cold days or cold waves. This marks an increase from the 12 events recorded during the same period in both 2023 and 2022. "From January to March 2024, at least 12 states/UTs, including Delhi, recorded their highest number of days with extreme weather events in the past three years," the report said. Between January 1 and December 31, 2023, India faced extreme weather on 318 of the 365 days, resulting in 3,287 deaths and damaging 2.2 million hectares of crop area. The report sourced its data from the disaster management division of the Union Home Ministry, the India Meteorological Department, and media reports. In Delhi, 14 of the 15 extreme weather events in 2024 were cold waves or cold days in January, with one incident of lightning and storm occurring on March 3. "As Delhi experiences blistering heat in May, the number of extreme events is expected to rise this year," a researcher noted. Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE, commented, "Even as we are releasing this report, India is going through an intense heatwave. This is a time when we must understand the crisis of a changing climate. The data in this report provides clear evidence that heat is rising and extreme weather events are breaking the backs of the poorest in our world." The report also highlighted that 2023 was India's second hottest year on record, with 102 weather stations across 26 of 36 states/UTs registering record-breaking temperatures. It was also a notably wet year, with 69 weather stations across 23 states/UTs recording unprecedented rainfall. In the first three months of 2023, lightning and storms were the most common extreme weather events in India. However, in 2024, cold waves or cold days have become the most frequent occurrences during this period. Despite this shift, hailstorms, often occurring alongside lightning and storms, continued to have a widespread impact across 25 states/UTs, while cold waves/cold days were reported in 13 states/UTs.
As a prelude to World Environment Day, the release of "State of India's Environment 2024 in Figures" offers an in-depth, data-centric analysis of the country's environmental performance. This 9th ebook in the special dataset series takes an innovative approach, diving into a wealth of government and credible source data on India's environment and development. Utilising cutting-edge tools, the report processes vast amounts of raw data into insightful infographics that tell a comprehensive story for each subject area. From climate change and extreme weather events to health, food security, migration, agriculture, energy, waste, water, and biodiversity – no stone is left unturned. "With each dataset, we have tried to provide the complete picture with deep data wisdom," stated the publishers. "Every data point you encounter represents 12 months of meticulous tracking to make sense of the complex information and present credible statements." In addition to the national perspective, the report analyses and ranks the performance of India's states on key environmental parameters, making sense of regional environmental affairs through data that might otherwise remain obscure statistics. "'State of India's Environment 2024: In Figures' harnesses the best available data to narrate India's environmental journey – its successes, failures, and gaps," the publishers added. The eBook is available for purchase, offering readers a complementary resource to the previously released "State of India's Environment 2024" annual report. For a limited time, it is offered at a special price.
Delhi was among the 12 states and Union territories (UTs) that experienced the highest number of days with extreme weather events in the first quarter of this year, according to the Centre for Science and Environment’s State of Environment report 2024. The report indicated that Delhi witnessed 15 extreme weather events from January to March 2024, predominantly cold days or cold waves. This compares to 12 such events in the same period of 2023 and 2022. "From January to March 2024, at least 12 states/UTs, including Delhi, recorded their highest number of days with extreme weather events in the past three years," it stated. In 2023, India faced extreme weather events on 318 out of 365 days, resulting in 3,287 deaths and affecting 2.2 million hectares of crops, as per data sourced from the disaster management division of the Union Home Ministry, India Meteorological Department, and media reports. Of Delhi's 15 extreme weather events in early 2024, 14 were cold waves or cold days in January, and one was a lightning and storm incident on March 3. Researchers noted that with the current intense heat in May, the number of extreme events in Delhi is expected to rise. Sunita Narain, director general of CSE, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate change, stating, "Even as we release this report, India is experiencing an intense heatwave. The data clearly shows that heat is rising and extreme weather events are severely impacting the poorest in our world." The report highlighted that 2023 was India's second hottest year on record, with record-breaking temperatures at 102 weather stations across 26 of 36 states/UTs. It was also a notably wet year, with record-breaking rainfall at 69 weather stations across 23 states/UTs. In the first three months of 2023, lightning and storms were the most common extreme weather events in the country. However, in 2024, cold waves or cold days became the most frequent. Despite this change, hailstorms, categorised with lightning and storms, remained widespread across 25 states/UTs, while cold waves/cold days were reported in 13 states/UTs. Rajit Sengupta, a lead researcher, noted, "Hailstorms (classified under lightning and storms) were the most geographically widespread event, affecting 25 states/UTs." From January to March 2024, extreme weather events resulted in 71 human deaths and damaged 0.1 million hectares of crop land nationwide.
NEW DELHI: Delhi was among the 12 states and Union territories (UT) that recorded the highest number of days with extreme weather events in the first three months of this year, reveals Centre for Science and Environment’s State of Environment report 2024. The report said Delhi saw 15 extreme weather events from Jan to March 2024, mostly cold days or cold waves, against 12 each recorded during the same period in 2023 and 2022. “From Jan to March 2024, at least 12 states/UTs, including Delhi, recorded their highest number of days with extreme weather events in the past three years,” it added. Between Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2023, India experienced extreme weather events on 318 of the 365 days. These events claimed 3,287 lives and devastated 2.2 million hectare crop area, revealed the report, which had sourced data from the disaster management division of Union home ministry, India Meteorological Department and media reports. Of the 15 extreme weather events in Delhi in 2024, 14 were cold waves or cold days in Jan, while one incident of lightning and storm took place on March 3. “However, as Delhi has been witnessing blistering heat in May, the number of extreme events is expected to rise this year,” said one of the researchers. Sunita Narain, director general of CSE, said, “Even as we are releasing this report, India is going through an intense heatwave. This is a time when we cannot but understand the crisis of a changing climate. This is borne out by the data in this report — there is clear evidence that heat is rising and extreme weather events are breaking the backs of the poorest in our world.” The report stated that 2023 was India’s second hottest year on record, with 102 weather stations across 26 of 36 states/UTs witnessing record-breaking temperatures. It was also a very wet year, with 69 weather stations across 23 states/UTs registering record-breaking rainfall. According to the report, in the first three months of 2023, lightning and storms dominated as the most common extreme weather events in the country. However, in 2024, cold wave or cold days were the most frequent occurrence during this period. Despite this shift, hailstorms, categorised with lightning and storms, maintained their widespread impact across 25 states/UTs. In contrast, cold wave/cold days were reported in 13 states/UTs. Rajit Sengupta, one of the lead researchers, said, “Hailstorms (classified under lightning and storms) were geographically the most widespread event, with 25 states/UTs reporting them.” Between Jan and March 2024, extreme weather events claimed 71 human lives and damaged 0.1 million hectares of crop land across the country.
Extreme temperatures across India are having their worst impact in the country's teeming megacities, experts said Thursday, warning that the heat is fast becoming a public health crisis. India is enduring a crushing heatwave with temperatures in several cities sizzling well above 45 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Temperature readings in the capital New Delhi rose into the high 40s Celsius this week, with power usage in the city -- where the population is estimated at more than 30 million -- surging to a record high on Wednesday. "Cities are more vulnerable to the compounding effects of urbanisation and climate change," said Aarti Khosla, director at research institute Climate Trends. "Expect a greater number of hotter days, prolonged dry spells and less rainy days as weather patterns continue to change due to increased human emissions," she told AFP. - Heat ward and ice baths - In Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, a specialised unit is busy treating patients with heat-related illnesses. Equipped with immersion ice baths, the unit has treated eight heat-struck patients in the past week. One person died Wednesday, medics said, with a body temperature that had surged to a fatal 41.5C (106.7F). Among those admitted to the unit were manual labourers, most aged between 40 and 50, who work under the blazing sun. "Treatment depends upon very quick, very rapid intervention and very rapid cooling," hospital director Ajay Shukla said, warning that the mortality rate for severe cases is around "60-80 percent". The rising temperatures hit the vulnerable the hardest, including those on the economic margins, experts said. "When the individual is dehydrated, extreme heat exposure will thicken their blood and cause organs to shut down, resulting in death within hours, popularly called 'heat stroke’," said Vidhya Venugopal, director at Sri Ram Institute of Higher Education and Research in Chennai. "We urgently need... action to protect exposed populations." - 'About survivability' - India is no stranger to searing summer temperatures but years of scientific research have found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense. The highest confirmed temperature ever recorded in India was 51C (123.8F), in Phalodi on the edge of Rajasthan's Thar Desert in 2016. Khosla, from Climate Trends, described heatwaves as "the single largest threat to India's well-being today", adding that recent high temperatures were "proof that the issue is now about survivability". No relief comes at night. A study published by New Delhi's Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) this month said Indian cities were not cooling down after sunset as much as they had in the decade of 2001-2010. It found temperatures then had dropped after dusk nearly 2C more than today. "Hot nights are as dangerous as midday peak temperatures," it said. "People get little chance to recover from daytime heat... exerting prolonged stress on the body." - 'Caused by burning coal' - Researchers say human-induced climate change has driven the devastating heat impact in India and should be taken as a warning. "The suffering India is facing this week is worse because of climate change, caused by burning coal, oil and gas and deforestation," said Friederike Otto, a climatologist at the Imperial College London and director of World Weather Attribution. The world's most populous nation is the third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases but has committed to achieve a net zero emissions economy by 2070 -- two decades after most of the industrialised West. For now, it is overwhelmingly reliant on coal for power generation. The government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking a third term in ongoing elections, says the fossil fuel remains central to meeting India's rising energy needs and lifting millions out of poverty. "What we are seeing in India is exactly what scientists said would happen if we didn't stop heating the planet," Otto said. © Agence France-Presse