As India enters only the second month of the year, several parts of the country have already reported above-normal temperatures. According to Indian climatologist Rajesh Kapadia, this could be a sign that the country is headed for a record-breaking heatwave in 2023.
On Friday, February 16, minimum temperatures in many places in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi settled above the season’s normal levels. The following day, temperatures in Gujarat’s Bhuj reached 40.3 Celsius, breaking a new monthly record. According to the “Extreme Temperatures Around the World” Twitter account, this is the earliest 40-degree temperature ever recorded in India and Asia.
Rajesh Kapadia has predicted that things will only get worse in the coming days, with dozens of heat-related records expected to be smashed in both India and Pakistan. The Indian Meteorological Department and weather site Accuweather.com have also predicted that temperatures in Bhuj will soar to nearly 40 degrees on multiple days in February.
Last year, a severe heatwave hit India in April, breaking a 122-year-old record. The high temperatures not only brought discomfort to people, but also adversely impacted agriculture production in several Indian states. The abnormal increase in maximum and minimum temperatures during 2022 affected crops, fruits, vegetables, and livestock, resulting in reduced milk and egg production.
The heatwave reportedly reduced India’s wheat production by 4.5% compared to a normal-weather year. India is the second-largest wheat producer in the world, and this reduction in production could have a significant impact on global food supplies.
As India braces for what could be another record-breaking heatwave, experts are urging people to take precautions and stay hydrated to prevent heat-related illnesses.