Not just Delhi, temperatures across the world are soaring
In recent years, there has been a global trend of record-breaking heat, with many locations reporting their highest-ever temperatures. On Wednesday, the weather station in Delhi's Mungeshpur reported a record-breaking 52.9 degrees Celsius. Although the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is verifying the accuracy of this temperature, there is no denying that the city has been experiencing abnormally hot weather. The station considered to be emblematic of Delhi, Safdarjung, recorded a temperature of 46.8 degrees Celsius—the highest since 1944.
Nearly 40% of Earth experiences record temperatures
The United Kingdom, which is known for its cold weather, also experienced an unprecedented 40°C in July 2022. Furthermore, Sicily in Italy set a new European record by reaching 48.8 °C in 2021. According to a study by Carbon Brief, a UK-based climate change publication, nearly 40% of the Earth recorded its highest-ever daily temperature between 2013-2023. This includes remote regions like Antarctica. During this period, India also set its own record with Rajasthan's Phalodi recording its highest temperature.
Heatwaves: The single largest threat to India
However, the highest ever temperature recorded on Earth remains the 56.7 degrees Celsius measured in Death Valley, California, in 1913. Aarti Khosla, director of Climate Trends, expressed deep concern over the increasing heatwave trends. She stated, "It is very concerning that annual trends in heatwaves now show temperature departures of 5-9 degrees Celsius from the normal summer weather... Heatwaves are clearly the single largest threat to India's well-being today."
2024 continues trend of record-breaking global temperatures
The year 2024 was predicted to be extremely warm following last year's record-breaking global temperatures. This prediction has held true so far, with April marking the 11th consecutive month of new global average monthly temperature records, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. While annual mean temperatures over India have risen by about 0.7 degrees Celsius compared to 1900 levels, heatwaves over India are noticeably more severe and prolonged.
2023 was the warmest year on record
With summer days still ahead, there is no saying if temperatures will exceed the record of 2023, which was confirmed as the warmest on record. According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2023 was approximately 1.48 degrees Celsius warmer than the long-term average before humans began using huge amounts of fossil fuels. This record global warming exacerbated extreme weather occurrences worldwide, including heatwaves and wildfires in Canada as well as drought and flooding in East Africa.
