Question : Weather Pattern

(a) whether this year was recorded as the hottest year and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the government has taken cognizance of the warning issued by the World Meteorological Organization that 2016 could be even hotter than this year;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has made any further study in this regards and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government has issued directives to the departments concerned for appropriate actions; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(SHRI Y. S. CHOWDARY)

(a) The analysis of meteorological data suggests that this year, the months of September, October and November were the hottest for India, since 1901. However, data received till the month of November, 2015 indicates that 2015 is not likely to be the hottest year since 1901 as far as India is concerned.
(b-c) Earth System Science Organisation-India Meteorological Department (ESSO-IMD) is aware of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Press release No. 13 dated 25th November, 2015, which states, that on a global scale, the period of 2011-2015 was abnormally warm, with the trend likely to continue in 2016.
(d) The years 2011-2015 have been the warmest five-year period on record, with many manifested extreme weather events across the globe. Although, some recent studies suggest an increasing frequency and intensity of extreme events during the past 40-50 years, their attribution to global warming is yet to be established. Summary of the observed long term changes so far include:
(i) Mean annual surface air temperatures show a significant warming of about 0.7 degree C/100 years during the last century.
(ii) No significant long-term trends are reported in the frequencies of large-scale droughts or floods in the summer monsoon season.
(e) No Madam.
(f) Does not arise.