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Business Standard
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Business Standard
Delhi logs wettest May ever as more rain, thunderstorms expected: IMD
Delhi is set to experience cloudy skies, thunderstorms, and rain for the remainder of May, which has already become the wettest on record, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday (May 26). In its weekly forecast, the IMD said the national capital is likely to see overcast conditions with chances of thunder, lightning, and showers. Winds are expected to blow at speeds of 30–50 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 60 kmph. Minimum temperatures will range between 25°C and 27°C, while maximum temperatures may vary from 33°C to 37°C. Wettest May since records began A sudden change in the weather on Saturday (May 24) brought 81.4 mm of rain in a few hours, making this May the wettest since 1901, the IMD said. Total rainfall so far this month has reached 186.4 mm, surpassing the previous record of 165 mm set in May 2008. Sunday's rain, classified as "heavy" by the IMD, was also the second-highest 24-hour rainfall recorded in May in Delhi. The highest remains 119.3 mm on May 20, 2021. Storm caused by multiple weather systems The intense downpour was triggered by the convergence of moist southeasterly winds and dry westerlies. This was further intensified by three weather systems: a western disturbance over north Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, and two upper-air cyclonic circulations — one over northwest Uttar Pradesh and north Haryana, and the other over west Rajasthan. Earlier this month, on May 2, Delhi had already received 77 mm of rain, according to IMD data. Experts say the unseasonal and heavy rainfall in May is a sign of evolving weather patterns. 'While localised systems like western disturbances have contributed, the larger trend points to a warming atmosphere that holds more moisture and disrupts established seasonal rhythms,' said Vishwas Chitale, Senior Programme Lead, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), to PTI. In 2024, Delhi saw heavy rainfall in late June following an extreme heatwave. Chitale added that although the monsoon arrived in Kerala earlier than usual this year, it is expected to reach Delhi around its normal schedule. However, he cautioned: 'Such extremes — in both heat and rainfall — serve as a reminder that monsoon arrival alone no longer defines climate preparedness.' Monsoon arrives early in Mumbai Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon reached Mumbai on Monday, marking its earliest arrival in more than 70 years, according to the IMD. The city experienced heavy rain, flooding, and disruptions to transport and flights. 'Southwest monsoon made its onset over Mumbai on May 26. This is the earliest onset in the last 75 years,' IMD scientist Sushma Nair told PTI. Normally, the monsoon reaches Mumbai around June 11. Nair added that the previous earliest onset was May 29 — recorded in 1956, 1962, and 1971 — making this year's onset three days earlier. The monsoon also advanced into Pune on Monday, IMD officials confirmed. Bharat Forecast System launched In a related development, the Ministry of Earth Sciences on Monday launched a home-grown weather prediction platform called the Bharat Forecast System. Union Minister Jitendra Singh, speaking at the launch, said the new forecasting model will boost IMD's capability in providing precise and timely weather updates. "The time has come to see what our contribution to our target of 2047 will be in the context of IMD... Our focus should be on how much role the IMD plays in bringing the Indian economy to the top, both in terms of preventing potential loss and increasing potential gains," Singh said. He added that IMD's forecasting infrastructure is becoming increasingly state-of-the-art, with advancements already made in cities like Chennai and Mumbai and similar improvements planned for Delhi.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Thunderstorms and heavy rain expected to continue in Delhi this week as capital records wettest May since 1901
Delhi is set for a rainy and stormy end to May, which has already been recorded as the wettest May since records began in 1901, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday. In its weekly weather forecast, IMD said the city will likely see cloudy skies, thunderstorms, lightning, and more rain throughout the last week of the month. Strong winds between 30–50 km/h, possibly reaching up to 60 km/h, are also expected. Temperatures are likely to stay between 25–27°C in the mornings and rise to around 33–37°C during the day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo Delhi breaks 123-year rainfall record Last Saturday, Delhi saw 81.4 mm of rainfall in just a few hours, making this the wettest May since 1901. The month's total rainfall has now reached 186.4 mm, breaking the earlier record of 165 mm set in 2008. Sunday alone saw 'heavy' rainfall, with one of the highest 24-hour totals for May on record, second only to 119.3 mm recorded on May 20, 2021. Live Events Why so much rain? Experts say the sudden downpour was caused by the mixing of moist winds from the southeast and dry winds from the west. Three major weather systems made it worse: A western disturbance over north Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir A cyclonic system over northwest Uttar Pradesh and north Haryana Another cyclonic system over west Rajasthan Delhi had already received 77 mm of rain on May 2, setting the tone for an unusually wet month. What experts say The heavy, unseasonal rainfall highlights how India's weather is changing. Vishwas Chitale, Senior Programme Lead at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), said, 'While local weather systems have played a role, the bigger reason is a warming atmosphere. It holds more moisture and messes with normal weather cycles.' He added that although the monsoon reached Kerala earlier than expected this year and is likely to hit Delhi on time, it's no longer enough to focus only on monsoon arrival. Extreme events like this show why year-round climate planning is essential. Inputs from PTI
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Kol, 5 Bengal dists at ‘high risk' for extreme heat: Study
1 2 Kolkata: Kolkata is among six Bengal districts flagged as "high-risk" for extreme heat in a nationwide heat risk assessment by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). The report titled 'How Extreme Heat Is Impacting India: Assessing District-level Heat Risk' presents the first composite Heat Risk Index (HRI) for all 734 districts in India. Significantly, the six Bengal districts do not have a heat action plan to help citizens adapt to the problem. While Bengal is 15th among states on the HRI, indicating a moderate overall risk, Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Purulia, East Midnapore and Bankura feature among the 417 districts in India under the high and very high risk category. Unlike in the past, heat stress is not fading in the city with sunset, says the report. Very warm nights and rising humidity are reducing the body's ability to recover from daytime heat, posing serious health risks, especially for the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and people with chronic illnesses. "Heat stress is no longer a future threat — it's a present reality," said Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW. "We are entering an era of intense, prolonged heat and dangerously warm nights. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo It's time to overhaul our heat action strategies with district-specific solutions," he added. As many as 12 Bengal districts came under the moderate risk category on the list, while northern districts like Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri have been considered low-risk. Cooch Behar and Alipurduar are the only districts in the very low-risk category. The study arrives at a time when 57% of India's districts — home to over 76% of the population — are at risk due to extreme heat. Many cities across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, are experiencing increased vulnerability due to urban heat islands and dense populations. To build a momentum for nationwide heat resilience, CEEW launched the report and deliberated on practical strategies for heat action planning, disaster risk reduction, and financing for sustainable cooling. "The urban heat island and shrinking green space have been exacerbating the problem," said Vishwas Chitale, who leads the climate resilience team at CEEW. The report underscores the importance of moving beyond daytime heat metrics. It calls for an urgent update of heat action plans to include measures for night-time heat and rising humidity, especially as the State Disaster Mitigation Fund now recognises heatwaves as a disaster eligible for relief funding. CEEW is also showcasing affordable and scalable heat adaptation strategies such as cool roofs, net-zero cooling shelters, emergency heat stroke rooms and parametric heat insurance. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Rising heat risks threaten over 76% of India's population
A recent study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) has found that 57% of India's districts—home to over three-fourths of its population—are now at high to very high risk from extreme heat. The report, 'How Extreme Heat is Impacting India: Assessing District-level Heat Risk', issues a stark warning: heat stress is no longer a seasonal discomfort but an accelerating disaster. Using a composite Heat Risk Index (HRI) developed for 734 districts, the CEEW study identifies Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh as the 10 most heat-risk-prone states and Union Territories. The report is based on 35 indicators including frequency of very hot days, warm nights, rising humidity, population exposure, urbanisation trends, and health vulnerabilities. One of the study's most alarming findings is the rapid increase in very warm nights—defined as nights where minimum temperatures exceed the 95th percentile of historical norms. Over the past decade (2012–2022), nearly 70% of districts saw at least five more such nights per summer compared to the 1982–2011 average. In contrast, only 28% of districts experienced similar increases in very hot days. Cities are bearing the brunt. Mumbai saw 15 additional very warm nights, Bengaluru 11, Bhopal and Jaipur 7 each, Delhi 6, and Chennai 4. This trend is largely attributed to the urban heat island effect, where concrete-heavy infrastructure traps heat during the day and releases it at night. 'Very warm nights prevent the human body from recovering after intense daytime heat. This significantly increases the risk of heat strokes and exacerbates conditions like hypertension and diabetes,' said Dr Vishwas Chitale, Senior Programme Lead at CEEW and co-author of the report. The report also highlights a growing secondary risk: increasing relative humidity. The agriculturally dense Indo-Gangetic Plain has witnessed up to a 10% rise in humidity over the past decade. Cities traditionally considered dry, such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Kanpur, and Varanasi, are now recording humidity levels that push the 'felt' temperature several degrees above the actual reading. 'High humidity hampers the body's natural cooling mechanism—sweating—and elevates health risks even during moderately hot days,' said Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW. 'We're entering an era of prolonged heat, rising humidity, and dangerously warm nights. The science is unequivocal—we must act now.'
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Heat risk soars across India, putting 76% of population in danger: Study
New Delhi: About 57 per cent of Indian districts, home to 76 per cent of India's total population, are currently at 'high' to 'very high' heat risk, according to a new study. According to the study published on Tuesday by Delhi-based climate and energy think-tank Council on Energy Environment and Water (CEEW), the 10 states and union territories with the highest heat risk include Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It also found that the number of very warm nights has increased faster than that of very hot days in the last decade. Very warm nights and very hot days are defined as periods when minimum and maximum temperatures rise above the 95th percentile threshold, i.e., what was normal for 95 per cent of the time in the past. As part of the study, CEEW researchers developed a Heat Risk Index (HRI) for 734 districts, using 40 years of climate data (1982-2022) and satellite images to study heat trends, land use, water bodies and green cover. They also included data on population, buildings, health and socio-economic factors, along with night temperatures and humidity, for a comprehensive picture of heat risk. 'Our study found that 417 out of 734 Indian districts fell in the high and very high risk categories (151 under high risk and 266 under very high risk). A total of 201 districts fell in the moderate category and 116 fell in either the low or very low categories. 'This does not mean that these districts are free of heat risk but that it is relatively lesser than that of other districts,' Vishwas Chitale, senior programme lead at CEEW, said. According to the study, the number of very hot days is increasing in India, but concerningly, the number of very warm nights is increasing even more, creating health risks. High night temperatures are considered dangerous because the body does not get a chance to cool down. Increasing nighttime temperature is more common in cities because of the urban heat island effect, in which the metro areas are significantly hotter than their surroundings.
