India Experienced Hottest March In Its Recorded History Of 122 Years, Says IMD

In March 2022, several places like Delhi, Jammu, Dharamshala, Patiala, Kota, Gwalior, and Pune witnessed record-breaking day temperatures. 

People shield themselves by covering their heads from the scorching sun as the temperature rises during the heatwave, at Vashi Railway Station Complex, on March 14, 2022, in Navi Mumbai, India. (Getty Images)

New Delhi: India experienced the hottest March in its recorded history of 122 years since 1901, revealed the India Meteorological Department (IMD). March 2022 surpassed the all-time average maximum temperature of March 2010. 

According to a report by the Times of India, Rajendra Jenamani, scientist, National Weather Forecasting Centre, IMD said that even in India, climate change is influencing the severity and length of extreme weather, be it in the form of heatwaves, cyclones strength, or heavy rainfall.

Jenamani stated that dry spells have become longer in certain cases and in others, severe rain volumes have increased, and so is the case with hot spells which have become hotter. 

He further added that this year’s second half of March had unusually warm daytime temperatures in several regions of the country and very few rain showers. 

Regions like Delhi, Haryana, and northern hill stations had above-normal temperatures, he said.

In March 2022, several places like Delhi, Jammu, Dharamshala, Patiala, Kota, Gwalior, and Pune witnessed record-breaking day temperatures. 

According to the Met department, the maximum temperature recorded was 6-8 degrees Celsius above the normal temperature in many parts of Northern India like Jammu division, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana-Delhi, West Rajasthan, and higher by 4-6 degrees Celsius in some parts over West Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Jharkhand and at isolated places over East Uttar Pradesh, Saurashtra-Kutch, Vidarbha, and Gangetic West Bengal.

Meanwhile, Heat Wave to Severe Heat Wave conditions was observed in most parts of west Rajasthan, in many parts of Himachal Pradesh, and in some parts of Haryana and Delhi. Heat Wave conditions were observed in some parts of East Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and in isolated pockets of Jammu Division and Uttar Pradesh.