Issue Note - Weathering The Storm

The Weathering the Storm: Managing Monsoons in a Warming Climate issue note, jointly developed by IPE Global and Esri India, provides a data-driven perspective on how climate change is reshaping India’s monsoon dynamics and intensifying heatwave risks.

As global temperatures rise and atmospheric humidity increases, India is witnessing a surge in the frequency, duration, and severity of heatwaves. These extreme temperature events are not just limited to the peak summer months—they now increasingly overlap with the monsoon season, creating a dual threat of oppressive heat and extreme rainfall.

Using the Climate Risk Observatory tool, this study delivers one of the most granular climate risk assessments in India to date. With district-level insights and forward-looking projections for 2030 and 2040, the note identifies emerging hotspots and offers actionable policy recommendations to help governments, planners, and communities build resilience against growing climate risks.
 

• Heatwaves are intensifying: Rising global temperatures and increased humidity are making heatwaves more frequent, longer-lasting, and more dangerous—especially in India’s urban and coastal regions.
  
  
• Summer is extending into monsoon: India is experiencing a prolonged summer season that now overlaps with the monsoon months, leading to simultaneous occurrences of heatwaves and extreme rainfall events.
  
  
• By 2030, Climate Change is Expected to Drive 43% Rise in the Intensity of Extreme Rainfall Events Across India
  
  
• The study also found a 2.5-fold increase in the number of heat wave days by 2030
  
  
• Our analysis suggests that around 72 per cent of the tier-I & tier-II cities are going to witness an increased occurrences of heat stress and extreme rainfall events, accompanied with storm surges, lightening and hailstorms
  
  
• Hotspots span coasts, plains, and hills: Districts in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Odisha are among the most affected—across diverse geographies.