This year’s high death toll and losses due to climate change underscore the urgent need for policy action

With over 3,200 fatalities, extensive crop damage across 3.2 million hectares, and 2.3 lakh buildings destroyed in the first nine months of 2024 alone, the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events is undeniable. These findings of the ‘India Climate Report 2024’ from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) give a shocking picture of the impact of climate change on the country. The report underscores that 93 per cent of the days between January and September were marked by extreme weather, a clear indication that climate-related disasters are becoming not only more frequent but also more severe. The report’s findings reveal a staggering increase in extreme weather events. In 2024, India faced climate extremes on 255 out of 274 days, a record when compared to previous years. Notably, over 35 of the 36 states and union territories experienced such events, with states like Karnataka, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh witnessing over 40 additional days of climate extremes compared to 2023.

The grim statistics point to a significant toll on human life and livelihoods. Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Assam were the hardest-hit states in terms of fatalities, while Andhra Pradesh saw the greatest destruction of homes, and Maharashtra experienced the largest crop damage. Among the notable phenomena in 2024 were prolonged heatwaves and an unprecedented number of warm nights. Besides, the monsoon season was particularly disastrous, with heavy rains, floods and landslides occurring every single day from June through September. Assam, for example, faced extreme weather on 111 days out of 122, highlighting the relentless impact of intense rainfall and flooding. The 2024 India Climate Report also points to a significant data gap. While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has made strides in tracking events like warm nights, it lacks absolute temperature benchmarks, which many other countries use to enhance climate data accuracy. The lack of comprehensive, real-time data on climate-related damages impedes effective planning and resource allocation, especially in vulnerable regions. Several factors have contributed to India’s vulnerability which must be addressed. The lopsided development, scant regard to the climate impact and allowing reckless construction in hills must stop. This pattern of ‘bad development’ worsens the impact of natural disasters, transforming regions with poor infrastructure or unplanned urban sprawl into high-risk areas. As the world approaches the dangerous threshold of 1.5°C of warming above pre-industrial levels, India’s situation signals the urgent need for effective climate policies, mitigation strategies and public awareness. The ‘India Climate Report 2024’ serves as a somber reminder of the escalating costs of climate inaction. A collective and urgent response is needed, one that includes better data collection, sustainable urban planning and policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Only then can India hope to protect its people and environment.