Climate change is boosting severe heat in western India

Climate Central analysis indicates that human-caused climate change increased the likelihood of an intense heat event in western and northwestern India from May 18-20, 2024. Forecasts predict daily high temperatures 3°C to over 6°C above average, with some areas exceeding 47°C and nighttime lows remaining above 34°C. Approximately 543 million people in India are expected to experience at least one day with a Climate Shift Index (CSI) level of 3 or higher during this period.

• Human-caused climate change has significantly increased the probability of the intense heat event forecast for western India between May 18 and May 20, 2024, including unusually warm nighttime temperatures that raise the risk of death and heat-related illness.
• During the May 18-20 period, daily high temperatures are expected to be 3°C to more than 6°C above average, with many locations exceeding 45°C and parts of Haryana state potentially surpassing 47°C.
• Nighttime temperatures are forecast to remain high, with lows not expected to drop below 34°C generally, and specifically not below 37°C in parts of Rajasthan state.
• The heat event is widespread across western and northwestern India, affecting states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi, with 543 million people expected to experience at least one day with a Climate Shift Index (CSI) level 3.
• Eleven cities are expected to reach a Climate Shift Index (CSI) level 5: Bhopal, Daman, Dispur, Gandhinagar, Imphal, Jaipur, Mumbai, Panaji, Port Blair, Pune, and Shillong.

APA

Climate Central (2024). Climate change is boosting severe heat in western India. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/western-india-may-18-20-2024

Chicago

Climate Central. Climate change is boosting severe heat in western India. 2024. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/western-india-may-18-20-2024.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=Climate change is boosting severe heat in western India |date=17 May 2024 |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/western-india-may-18-20-2024 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2024climate, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{Climate change is boosting severe heat in western India}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2024}, month = may, url = {https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/western-india-may-18-20-2024}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }