India reported its warmest February since proper record-keeping began 1901, recording the highest average maximum (day) temperature (29. 5 degrees Celsius) across the country in over a century, even as the India Meteorological Department signalled more bitter days ahead with a forecast of hotter than normal summer in many parts of the country during the March-May period.
Northwest India experienced its warmest February on record, with average daytime temperatures up to 3.4% over average, and central India experienced its second warmest February, with an average maximum temperature more than 2°C above average. The majority of northeast, east, central, and certain portions of northwest India, including Delhi-NCR, are likely to have "above normal" maximum temperatures over the time period, according to IMD's forecast for the summer season.
S C Bhan, an IMD scientist who published the seasonal outlook, was asked if climate change was to blame for the record-breaking February temperatures and the forecast of hotter summer days. He responded that although the entire world is experiencing climate change and global warming, the attribution (direct link to climate change) is typically a matter of diagnosis. "That might or might not be a result of global warming," he remarked.
Although the agriculture ministry is prepared to provide extension services and support to farmers in case of extreme weather events, Bhan, who oversees the hydromet and agromet advisory services of IMD, said there has been no report of a negative impact of temperatures on farming operations so far.