Extreme Weather Events Impacting Heat Waves & Rainfall All Over
Record breaking heat is being witnessed all over the world for almost two months. It’s happening in villages, cities, sea coasts, forests, hills etc. Water bodies and rivers are experiencing unusual dry spells, never observed before. Oceans are giving signals of worsening weather.
Snow cover too is on decline and ice bergs are melting and breaking in many places, located close to snow line. Arctic regions too are feeling the brunt for a few years. Forest fires either are expected or happening already in Croatia, Serbia, Albania, U.K., Italy and four other European countries.
In the list of blistering conditions prevalent in India and Europe, now sixteen states of U.S.A. and twenty two cities of Italy have been added.With birds, dogs and several animals struggling in urban areas and remote locations, now death toll is going up. As per latest inputs when maximum temperature shoots to 40.5 degrees in Poland and 46 degrees in U.S.A. by July 4, it may be a complete haywire situation.
Is It Due To Global Warming (G.W.) ?
Global Warming may mean a long term rise in Earth’s temperature primarily attributable to biotic interference or human activities. In other words, it may denote rise in frequency and intensity of heat waves, drought, flood, cyclone, earthquake (recent one in Venezuela) and part Tsunami (in Japan a few days ago).
Loss of habitat and slow extinction of some species is not ruled out in such a situation. Generally, it is seen that Green house gases, namely, Carbon Dioxide and Methane trap heat and are instrumental in gradual heating of the planet.
Other causes could be : burning of Fossil fuel (coal, oil, wood etc.), high emission levels in many sectors and countries, loss of green cover, reduced availability of water vapour, rapid rise in civil constructions, unjustifiable consumption of fertilisers, release of Fluoronated gases from Refrigerators and unthinkable rise in number of automobiles.
Global Warming in Europe
If we look at 2025 situation, rare and early heat wave blanketted several countries, such as, France, Italy, Spain, Netherland, Germany and Portugal. High alerts had to be issued even when maximum temperature was in the range of 38 to 40 degrees. People in general and tourists in particular were seen frantically looking for drinking water and shaded enclosures in tourist spots. School going children and senior citizens became the worst sufferers. Deadly heat wave claimed many lives even when health emergencies were declared and power plants had to be shut down. Eiffel Tower and some other spots too had to be closed for a certain period, like in 2024.
Tolerance Level & Make of Houses
It has been felt that tolerance level of people in these countries is supposed to be on lower side as compared to Indians in plain states who can bear temperatures in the range upto 46 to 47 degrees. People used to room heaters and blowers in Europe began frantically searching for fans and Air Conditioners which may not be easily available.
According to an expert quoted in a national daily, traditional style of building of houses in European countries , ensuring retention of heat, is now being questioned. In Europe, by and large phenomenon of more hours of sun light vis a vis India, thus ensures less time to the housing unit to cool down at night.
Rest of India
In hilly places like J & K, H.P., Uttarakhand and Sikkim, however, a rise of day temperature upto 37 or 38 degrees is considered fairly high, therefore, unbearable.
After scorching heat in 1892, a similar spell was experienced in J & K in 2025. As streams began drying up, shortage of water for bathing, washing and drinking became noticeable.
Early Advent of Humidity
Another unusual feature of early heat wave in Northern India in 2025 and 2026, has been prevalence of humidity and sultry conditions in June as opposed to its normal occurance in July and August.These indicate that G.W. not only has become a reality but it is going to stay for a long time as well.
Extreme heat wave of present level was experienced in 2025 also but there were wet patches in between, say on 17th, 23rd and 25th April. Temperature or shall we say rising temperature saw somewhat intense winds and heavy downpour, something unusual for the month of April. Even then impact of La Nina on the pattern of rainfall was predicted surprisingly by the weather scientists.
Once again freak weather led to above normal rainfall on May 17 and May 23, 2025. Apart from rains, instances of lightening and hailstorm were also seen. As a result, minimum temperature fell from 31 to 21 degrees in Delhi and neighbourhood one day. Within five minutes light rain became torrential leading to large scale damages, blocking of drains, foot paths and a few roads.
Grim Condition Of Year 2026 Thus Far
What happened in North or Eastern India in 2025 has not happened in 2026 so far. But blistering heat is becoming unbearable. A bit of occasional rain is like a lolly pop to a hungry man. Strong sunlight and less of ventilation further add to the crisis equally within home and offices.
Occasional cooling effect has been on a few days but that simply does not last. That does not help.
DEFICIT MONSOON SCENARIO
As per available reliable data, four months of Monsoon usually accounts for 75% of country’s annual rainfall. However, indications donot appear favorable during 2026.
With 43% deficit rainfall, Monsoon scenario looks fairly weak in the country as a whole.
In such a situation, impacts on agricultural productivity, food grain production, generation of hydel power and overall reduction in farm income can be very well imagined.
As per Union Agriculture Minister, 315 Districts of the country are going to be most affected due to low rainfall. Even though remedial measures may be in offing, it is felt that preparation of contingency plans for such Districts at this late stage may not cut any ice.
As per estimates, the first half of Monsoon season was supposed to be better than last year but in actual reality, month of June, 2026 has been drier than expected. Further, if one goes by records of Ministry of Agriculture, June accounts for 19% of Monsoon rains while July contributes to 32%.
77% of country has experienced deficit rain and only 23%, including Sikkim, Ladakh, North Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar and Odisha have had normal or excess rain.
According to Weather Scientists, substantial rain deficit of June may not be bridged. By now entire country should have been WET, nevertheless in first week of July, pattern may change for the better for the drier pockets.
As far as recent rains in Maharastra, nearby areas and elsewhere are concerned, these being normal for the season should not mislead.
2026 HEAT WAVE IN EUROPE
More intense heat wave as compared to 2025 is being experienced all over Europe nowadays. Heat energency has been declared in many places after recording over 1500 deaths in U.K., Germany, Netherland, Spain, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, Serbia, Albania etc. Altogether 26 countries are now in the grip of this unusual happening. People in general are getting fed up of jumping into and remaining in public water bodies. As if this is not enough, one can imagine the FEEL LIKE TEMPERATURE in Europe.
According to a source accessed through REUTERS, the current heat wave is driven by a weather pattern known as Omega block which shows bulge of hot air in the middle and cool air on either sides. It allows rise in heat, day after day.
In France alone, forty persons were drowned in canals and rivers while seeking relief from intense heat wave. The wave is likely to sweep across more parts of Europe.
According to World Meteorological Organisation, Europe is warming more than twice the global average. Temperatures are going to shoot upto 43 degrees in some parts of Western France as country has already recorded its hottest afternoon and night since 1947.
Conclusion
Having come across hard weather realities as above, are we going to wake up and do something to save the vulnerable lots and many exotic parts of mother earth ?
It appears Global Warming together with uncertainties in rainfall pattern are going to have their say. Cloud burst in Doda in J & K has already cut off many villages and a chain of casualties and devastations may follow. Scale of devastation due to Earthquke in Venezuela should also shake our conscience and should compel us to do something in the interest of humanity.
(The author is former Chief Secretary, Sikkim. Views are strictly personal)
