Weather Woes: 93% of Days Marked by Extreme Events in First Nine Months of 2024

New Delhi, 8th November 2024: A startling report from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that India experienced extreme weather on 93% of the days in the first nine months of 2024, underscoring the escalating impact of climate change. With 255 of 274 days marked by heatwaves, cold spells, cyclones, floods, and landslides, the country saw devastating consequences, including 3,238 fatalities, extensive crop damage across 3.2 million hectares, and the destruction of nearly 236,000 buildings.

The report, “Climate India 2024: An Assessment of Extreme Weather Events,” prepared with India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, arrives just days before COP29 in Azerbaijan. The findings present a sobering view of climate change’s impact on India’s vulnerable populations, who face increased risks and limited resources to manage escalating environmental threats.

Record-Setting Damage in 2024

In a grim record, the human and economic costs this year far outpaced those of 2023, which also saw widespread damage. Sunita Narain, CSE’s director general, emphasized that extreme weather events once seen once per century are now reoccurring every five years or less, increasing the toll on marginalized communities. Narain highlighted, “This frequency is overwhelming the most vulnerable populations, who lack the resources to adapt to this relentless cycle of loss and damage.”

The data showcases extreme variations, with January 2024 becoming India’s ninth driest month since 1901, while record-breaking minimum temperatures were noted in February, July, August, and September. This trend is reshaping agriculture and daily life, as weather unpredictability rises.

Regional Toll: Impact Across Indian States

Certain regions faced particularly high impacts. Central India led with extreme weather on 218 days, while the Northwest encountered such events on 213 days. Madhya Pradesh saw the most days with extreme weather, a staggering 176 days out of 274. Kerala suffered the highest fatalities (550), followed by Madhya Pradesh (353) and Assam (256). Maharashtra bore over 60% of the national crop damage, primarily in its vast farmlands.

Assam, another severely affected region, recorded heavy rain, floods, and landslides on 122 days, submerging communities and resulting in 1,376 flood-related deaths nationwide. Madhya Pradesh also faced widespread destruction, with Andhra Pradesh recording the highest number of damaged houses (85,806).

Lives and Livelihoods at Risk

The report also sheds light on how extreme weather affects people beyond direct fatalities. Prolonged heatwaves, for instance, claimed 210 lives but left a broader, unaccounted toll on public health, especially for laborers and farmers who endured these conditions without adequate relief measures. Co-author Rajit Sengupta pointed out the lack of support for those hit hardest, noting, “The data doesn’t reflect the extended health impacts on people like farmers who endure high temperatures with limited means of relief.” Severe cold snaps also pose serious risks, especially to crop yields, emphasizing the need for a structured compensation system to shield those affected.

Climate-Driven Losses Highlight Need for Change

With the upcoming COP29 conference, India’s data-driven evidence of escalating weather events stresses the urgency of international climate action. The report indicates that the government must enhance disaster preparedness and support systems for vulnerable communities while intensifying climate resilience strategies.