The year 2024 was marked as the hottest year ever recorded in India, with the average temperature surpassing the long-term average by 0.65 degrees Celsius.

This average is based on data from 1991 to 2020, and the temperature in 2024 was even 0.9 degrees Celsius higher than that of 2016, which was previously considered the hottest year.

Despite the scorching heat, India's southwest monsoon rains during 2024 were above normal, leading to excessive rainfall and severe flooding in many areas, which caused damage to Kharif crops. However, the overall agricultural production remained stable, despite these challenges.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) highlighted the growing impact of climate change since 2001, with a noticeable increase in minimum temperatures in recent years.

This trend could pose risks to crops, particularly Rabi crops, in the future. In 2024, record-high temperatures were seen in both early months (January-February) and again between July and October.

The highest average temperature for the year occurred in October, and December saw a rise in minimum temperatures, particularly in the Southern Peninsula, leading to higher rainfall there compared to other regions.

This record heat and changing climate conditions underline the growing impact of global climate change on India, with significant effects on agriculture, water availability, and overall weather patterns.