India records hottest February in more than a century, likely to experience heat waves

A second consecutive year of heat wave could reduce production of wheat, rapeseed and chickpea, hampering government efforts to bring down food inflation.

Higher temperatures may also increase electricity consumption more than supply during the summer season.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in a statement said, “Heat wave conditions are likely to increase over many areas of central and adjoining northwest India during the March to May season.”

In March, the crucial month for maturation of winter sown crops, above normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country except peninsular India.

A Mumbai-based dealer of a global trading house said, “The wheat crop is already facing stress due to high temperatures. The hot March will definitely hurt the yield.”

India grows only one wheat crop a year, with planting in October and November and harvesting from March.

A heat wave has slashed India’s wheat output in 2022 and forced the world’s second-biggest producer to ban exports.

The average maximum temperature in February was 29.54 °C, the highest since 1901, when the IMD began keeping weather records.

The weather office said the country received 68 per cent less rainfall than normal in February.

Government officials warned last year that the South Asian country could see more heat waves in the future and average temperatures, even during the monsoon season, have been rising for the past two decades.

India’s health ministry said in a letter sent to all states and union territories on Tuesday, “The temperature has already touched abnormal highs at some places in the country.”

The government directed health departments across the country to implement “heat-related health action plans”.