Statement on Climate of India during 2020

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recently released its Statement on Climate of India during 2020. According to IMD, 2020 was the eight warmest year on record since 1901.

What are the Key Highlights of the Statement on Climate of India, 2020?

• Around twelve out of fifteen warmest years since 1901 were between 2006 and 2020.
• The rainfall as a whole during South West Monsoon was above normal. It was 109% of the Long Period Average (calculated between 1961 and 2010).
• The past decade, 2019-20 was the warmest decade on record.
• Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were the hardest hit states due to adverse weather. More than 350 deaths were reported in these two states sue to thunderstorms. Cold wave events and lightning.
• Thunderstorm and Lightning caused 815 deaths in 2020.
• The average Land Surface Air Temperature over India in 2020 was 0.29 Degrees Celsius above normal.
• The mean temperature during winters was also above normal. It was recorded as 0.140 degrees Celsius greater than the normal.
• The Monsoon and post monsoon seasons recorded mean temperature anomalies of +0.430 degrees Celsius and +0.53 degrees Celsius respectively.
• According to the World Meteorological Organization, the Global mean surface temperature anomaly was recorded as +1.2 degrees Celsius.

What were the Cyclones formed during 2020?

There were five cyclones formed in the North Indian Ocean in 2020. They were Super Cyclonic Storm AMPHAN, Cyclonic Storm BUREVI, Severe Cyclonic Storm NISARGA and Very Severe Cyclonic Storm NIVAR and GATI. Of these cyclones, Nisarga and Gati formed over Arabian Sea and the remaining formed in Bay of Bengal.

Under which Ministry does IMD operate?

Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Where are regional offices of IMD located?

Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Nagpur and Guwahati.

Which regions are under the monitoring of IMD?

Northern Indian Ocean including Malacca Straits, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Persian Gulf. It mainly monitors formation of cyclones and issues warnings to these regions.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2021