Climate Central Expert Dr. Andrew Pershing said that a strong trend of increasing heat has been observed in February, which continues in March also. This points to changes in climate patterns in India.
Holi Weather Update: When Holi falls in the month of Phagun, it is usually not hot. This is the time of spring when winter is ending and summer is just beginning. But, this time on Holi, the temperature in nine states of India is likely to cross 40 degrees. This has come to light in a new study by Climate Central.
According to the report released on Friday, this time the festival of colors may get hit by the scorching heat. On this day, the temperature in many parts of the country may remain above 40 degrees. In the study, climate change has been considered the reason for this. In the study, researchers analyzed the data of March and found that major changes have been seen in the temperature of this month in recent decades. After the cold in January-February, the temperature suddenly increases rapidly in March.
Increased from three to nine states
Climate Central expert Dr. Andrew Pershing said that a strong trend of increasing heat has been observed in February, which continues in March as well. This points to changes in climate patterns in India. It also shows the increased risk of extreme heat during Holi. According to researchers, in the 1970s, only three states Maharashtra, Bihar and Chhattisgarh recorded temperatures reaching 40 degrees on Holi. But now six more states Rajasthan, Gujarat, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have also been added to it.
Data collected for five decades
During the study, the researchers calculated the daily average temperature for more than five decades. In this, a trend of each month was determined for each region from January 1, 1970 to December 31, 2023. Based on this, the possibilities of maximum temperature during Holi were assessed. This study shows that the percentage of probability has also increased significantly.
51 cities found sensitive
During the research, cities at risk on Holi were also analyzed separately. In this, 51 cities were found sensitive to 40 degree temperature till the end of March. Of these, there were 10 cities where this possibility was found to be highest. Among these, Bilaspur city of Chhattisgarh is at the forefront, where the temperature is likely to go above 40 degrees during Holi. Other cities include Indore, Bhopal and Madurai which have been considered more sensitive. An earlier study had claimed that due to increasing heat in many states including North India, the size of spring season is shrinking.
Most at Risk Cities
- Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh)
- Nagpur (Maharashtra)
- Bhilai (Chhattisgarh)
- Kota (Rajasthan)
- Raipur (Chhattisgarh)
- Madurai (Tamil Nadu)
- Jodhpur (Rajasthan)
- Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
- Baroda (Gujarat)
- Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
- Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh)
- Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh)
- Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh)
- Indore (Madhya Pradesh)
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