New Delhi, March 01, 2023 (PPI-OT): India recorded the warmest February this year since 1877 with average maximum temperatures touching 29.54 degrees Celsius, the weather office has said while linking it with global warming. Less rainfall, clear skies and persistent anti-cyclone conditions led to abnormal rise in the maximum temperature in February, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said. It said, the other possible reason for the rise in temperature was reduced frequency of western disturbances, which bring rain in February. The previous highest average temperature in February was recorded in 2016 when the mercury touched 29.48°C, it added.

It said most parts of the country are expected to experience above-normal temperatures while the southern peninsula and parts of Maharashtra are likely to escape the brunt of harsh weather conditions. Addressing a virtual press conference, S C Bhan, the Head of the Hydromet and Agromet Advisory Services of IMD said the monthly average maximum temperature for February was the highest since 1877 and linked the rising trend to the phenomenon of global warming. “The entire globe is living in an era of global warming. We are living in a warming world,” Bhan said when asked whether the high temperatures were an indication of climate change.

Northwest India, including Punjab, Haryana, and New Delhi, reeled under unusually above-normal maximum temperatures throughout the month, the IMD said. “Summer is likely to be hotter than the last year. Above normal maximum temperatures will be witnessed,” said an official of the weather office. The IMD said the probability of heat waves occurring from March to May was likely to increase over many regions of Central and northwest India. However, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi would not witness heat waves in March. But in subsequent months of April and May, the number of heat waves will rise in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, it added.

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