India and Pakistan have been experiencing extreme and dangerous heat over recent days. High temperatures are not uncommon at this time of year in India, with April and May typically being the hottest months before the monsoon season brings welcome rain and slightly cooler temperatures from June.
However, the high temperatures so far have been unusually widespread and follow a very warm March. The average maximum temperature for March across India was the highest since records began 122 years ago. Although one particular weather event cannot be directly attributed to climate change, climate scientists are clear that the severity and duration of heatwaves are expected to increase in the future.
