A recent study by IPE-Global and Esri India reveals that more than 84% of Indian districts are experiencing severe heatwaves, with 70% also encountering increased frequency and intensity of rainfall. Released ahead of the Climate Week NYC, where global leaders will discuss climate commitments, the study highlights a significant rise in extreme weather events over the past three decades.
The study notes a 15-fold increase in extreme heatwave days during the March-April-May and June-July-August-September periods over the last 30 years, with a 19-fold rise observed in the past decade alone.
Abinash Mohanty, Head-Climate Change and Sustainability Practice, IPE Global expressed concern over these trends. ?The increase in catastrophic heat and rainfall events is linked to a 0.6 ?C rise in global temperatures over the last century," Mohanty said. He also pointed out the growing impact of El Ni'o, which is exacerbating India's climate patterns with more pronounced and erratic effects.
The study underscores the severe weather impacts witnessed recently, such as the landslides in Kerala caused by relentless rainfall, highlighting the changing climate reality. Mohanty warned, "Our analysis predicts that by 2036, 8 out of 10 Indians will face high exposure to extreme events."
Agendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India, emphasised the role of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology in tackling these challenges. "GIS technology provides a comprehensive understanding of climate impacts from economic, social, and environmental perspectives," Kumar said. He advocated for its use in resilient infrastructure planning, disaster management, and enhancing community engagement through detailed spatial and climatic analysis.
The findings from this study stress the urgent need for robust climate resilience strategies and adaptive measures to protect India's agricultural, industrial, and infrastructural sectors from the escalating threats of climate change.
(ET)
