The story so far: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday announced that India will see more than average heat wave days in this year’s hot weather season (April to June). Above-normal temperatures are likely to be recorded over most parts of the country, and the heat is predicted to impact the southern peninsula, central India, east India, and the northwestern plains the most.
The announcement comes even as India is already struggling to keep up with its power demand, which increases significantly during summer season. A Reuters analysis reported that India’s hydroelectricity output fell at the steepest pace in at least 38 years in the year ending March 31, 2024. Hydroelectric output will possibly remain low in the coming months as well, leading to a greater dependence on coal at a time when India has, in its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, promised to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, compared to the 2005 level.
