India’s scorching heat has taken a toll on the country’s mango production, with the famous Alphonso mangoes seeing a significant decline in yield.
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, the Indian government’s investigation estimates that mango production in the coastal town of Devgad in Maharashtra will decrease by 85% to 90% this year.
In the southern state of Telangana, the government reported that at least 16 people have died due to the heatwave since the start of summer. Officials have warned residents to be cautious, advising the elderly, children, and pregnant women to avoid going out during the day. The government will provide a compensation of 400,000 rupees (approximately 28,000 yuan) to the families of the deceased.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Rubio was spotted visiting the Taj Mahal in India on May 25, wearing a suit and taking photos with his wife despite the sweltering heat. Rubio had planned to give a brief speech but cancelled it due to the heat.
A heatwave has swept across India, with several regions including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra issuing red alerts. Temperatures in these areas have risen by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal levels, with some areas experiencing temperatures 5 degrees Celsius higher than usual.
In fact, 98 of the 100 cities with the highest temperatures globally are located in India. The capital city of New Delhi recorded a temperature of 45.3 degrees Celsius on May 21, while the city of Banda in Uttar Pradesh recorded a temperature of 47.6 degrees Celsius.
India’s power consumption has reached record highs, with the peak power demand reaching 270.82 GW on May 21. The increased use of air conditioners and fans has driven up electricity demand.
Analysts attribute the extreme heat in India to a combination of factors, including the development of El Niño and regional climate feedback. The risk of heatwaves and droughts in South Asia is expected to increase in the coming months.
The combination of global warming and El Niño has made this year’s Indian summer not only hot but also humid, with some areas experiencing temperatures that feel like 60 degrees Celsius.
El Niño refers to the abnormal warming of the ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, which occurs every 2 to 7 years and lasts for approximately 9 to 12 months. Under its influence, the Indian Ocean Dipole often presents a positive phase, leading to subsidence and suppressed cloud formation, resulting in prolonged hot and dry weather.
The World Meteorological Organization has stated that El Niño affects global temperatures and precipitation patterns. Forecasts indicate that land surface temperatures will be above normal levels in almost all regions over the next three months, with regional differences in precipitation patterns.
