By 2100, Delhi could be as hot as Sharjah

New Delhi: According to a new research, summer temperatures in the national capital could become like those in Sharjah (UAE) by 2100 if carbon emissions are not curtailed.

The research, by World Meteorological Organisation and Climate Central, showed that the average summer highs in major Indian cities could rise by around three to five degree Celsius by the end of the century.

For Delhi, that would mean a rise of five degree Celsius in the average summer highs from 35.2 degree to 40.2 degree Celsius.

Terming the rise “alarming”, the research said that the average takes into account the temperatures of June, July and August.

Elsewhere in India, the relatively benign summers of Bengaluru, which has an average summer high of 30.4 degree Celsius, will feel more like Esfahan in Iran (33.8 degree Celsius) if carbon emissions continue unabated. Similarly, Chennai, which has an average temperature of 35.4 degree Celsius, may find its summers resembling Multan in Pakistan (39.2 degree).

Multan is known for its extreme summers and has witnessed some of the worst heat waves in Pakistan’s history.

More so, Kolkata (32.9 degree) could feel more like Lahore in Pakistan, while Mumbai (29.5 degree) may feel like Kolkata by the end of century if greenhouse gases continue to increase.

The World Meteoro-logical Organisation (WMO) and Climate Central invited weather presenters from a dozen countries to work with meteorological services and other national experts to explore the implications.

Indian climate experts say 13 of the 15 hottest years in India have been recorded since 2002, with the highest temperature recorded in 2016. This summer, parts of India have experienced abnormally high temperatures in March and April. Heatwaves occur from April to June before the Indian subcontinent is awash with monsoon.

The report also said that moderate emission cuts can mitigate the effect by half.