Pune: Maharashtra witnessed extreme weather events every second day in 2024, showed a study on the country's climate. The study, titled ‘Climate India 2024: An Assessment of Extreme Weather Events' and published by Centre for Science and Environment on Nov 8, showed that from 106 extreme weather event days from Jan to Sept in 2023, the number went up to 142 in the state during the same period this year. The study also linked weather to crop loss over 19.
5 lakh hectares in Maharashtra, highest in the country, and also 208 human casualties in 2024. The highest number of extreme weather days in Maharashtra were with heavy rain, floods, and landslides (79 days), followed by lightning and storms (76 days) and heatwaves (15 days). Researchers associated with the study used lightning and storms, cold waves, heavy rain, floods and landslides, heatwaves, cloudbursts, and cyclones as parameters.
"Climate change has made extreme weather events more frequent across the globe. In certain cases, the events have become more intense. At the core of this challenge is our consumption rate, which surged since the industrial revolution.
Climate change touches every aspect of life, with the poorest and most marginalised communities bearing the brunt. In cases of severe weather events, these areas not only face immediate devastation but also suffer long-term setbacks in terms of development," said Rajit Sengupta, co-author of the study. The study gathered data from IMD and ministry of home affai.
