The India Meteorological Department (IMD)’s State of the Climate Report unveiled that 2020 was the eighth warmest year since India started keeping records in 1901. This report annually investigates temperature and rainfall fluctuations.
Eighth Warmest Year: A Look at the 2020 Temperature Trends
The IMD report indicated that the average annual temperature was 0.29 degree Celsius above the normal (29-year average from 1981-2010). Although, this number was noticeably lower than the record high in 2016 (+0.71 degrees Celsius), which remains as the warmest year India has ever recorded since 1901.
Interestingly, these temperature trends were reported despite the cooling effects of La Nina, a global weather pattern prevalent in 2020. Usually, La Nina causes substantially below-normal temperatures in winter. But, due to ongoing global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions, this cooling effect is being neutralized.
Understanding El Nino and La Nina
El Nino and La Nina are the extreme phases of the El Niño and the Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. ENSO is a recurring fluctuation in sea surface temperature and the air pressure of the overlying atmosphere across the equatorial Pacific Ocean. It significantly influences weather and climate patterns such as heavy rains, floods, and drought. While El Niño has a warming influence on global temperatures, La Nina manifests the opposite effect.
India’s Temperature Increase Vs. Global Average
The near 0.3-degree rise in India’s average temperature was less than the global temperature rise of 1.2 degrees reported from January to October, according to the World Meteorological Organisation’s State of the Global Climate document.
Ranking India’s Warmest Years
The warmest years in India in descending order were: 2016, followed by 2009, 2017, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The past decade (2011-2020), on record, was the warmest.
Repercussions of Extreme Weather Events
The report also highlighted the occurrence of unusually heavy rain, floods, cold waves, and thunderstorms that led to significant loss of lives and properties. According to the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)’s document titled “Preparing India for Extreme Climate Events”, over 75% of districts in India are hotspots of extreme climate events. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar suffered the highest casualties due to cold waves, lightning, and thunder last year.
Tropical Storm Overview
Globally, the Atlantic Ocean saw one of the most active years with over 30 originating tropical storms. The Indian Ocean region – the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal together reported five cyclones – Amphan, Nisarga, Gati, Nivar, and Burevi.
Assessing Annual Rainfall Data
In terms of rainfall, the annual downpour in India during 2020 was 109% of the Long Period Average (LPA), calculated for the period of 1961-2010.
About India Meteorological Department
IMD was instituted back in 1875 and functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Indian Government. It is the main agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology.
