India experienced its warmest year on record in 2024, with the average minimum temperature 0.90°C higher than the long-period average. This surpasses the previous warmest year, 2016, which had seen an average temperature 0.54°C above normal.
The annual mean land surface air temperature in India was 0.65°C above the long-term average (1991-2020), according to Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This makes 2024 the hottest year in the country since records began in 1901.
Globally, the European climate agency Copernicus confirmed that 2024 is likely to end as the warmest year on record, with global temperatures rising 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. A report by World Weather Attribution and Climate Central highlighted the global trend, noting that the year saw an average of 41 additional days of extreme heat.
The rising temperatures serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by climate change. The continued global temperature increase is affecting weather patterns, ecosystems, and human activities, raising the urgency for climate action.