This summer, India saw 536 days of heatwaves, the most in 14 years, with the northwestern region experiencing its hottest June last month since 1901, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
In June, the country had 181 days of heatwaves, the most since 2010 when there were 177 days, as stated by IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra during a virtual press briefing.
"In 2024 summer, India experienced a total of 536 heatwave days, the highest after 2010 (578 days). In June, it experienced 181 heatwave days, surpassing 2010 (177 days)," he added.
Mohapatra noted that the average maximum monthly temperature in northwest India was 38.02 degrees Celsius, which is 1.96 degrees Celsius higher than the normal average. The average minimum temperature was 25.44 degrees Celsius, 1.35 degrees Celsius above normal.
In June, northwest India experienced an average temperature of 31.73 degrees Celsius, which is 1.65 degrees Celsius higher than usual, marking the highest temperature since 1901.
June saw a 33% decrease in rainfall in northeast India, a situation Mohapatra linked to the slow progress of the monsoon in the northern and eastern regions due to the absence of weather systems.
India recorded more than 40,000 suspected heatstroke cases and over 100 heat-related deaths in one of its hottest and longest heatwaves. The intense heat overwhelmed the water supply system and power grids, with Delhi grappling with a severe water crisis.
The IMD reported that nearly 40 per cent of the nation experienced twice the usual number of heatwave days from April to June. Some areas in Rajasthan saw temperatures surpassing 50 degrees Celsius, while nighttime temperatures remained around 35 degrees Celsius in many places.
In Delhi, where temperatures stayed above 40 degrees Celsius for 40 consecutive days since May 13, approximately 60 deaths have been attributed to the heat this year, as per reports from the media.
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