India has recorded its hottest year since 1901, with 2024's average minimum temperature rising by 0.90°C above the long-term average. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), confirmed that the country's annual mean land surface air temperature was 0.65°C higher than normal. This rise signals growing concerns about the impact of climate change on the nation’s environment and public health.

The European climate agency Copernicus has reported that 2024 is likely to end as the warmest year on record, with global average temperatures surpassing 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. A study by climate scientists from World Weather Attribution and Climate Central also revealed that the world experienced 41 more days of extreme heat than usual this year, underscoring the intensifying effects of climate change.

The cold wave has affected Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, with temperatures dropping significantly. In Jaipur, the temperature reached 7.2°C, while Bikaner and Churu saw 7°C and 6°C, according to the IMD. In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, thick fog covered the city as temperatures dropped on Wednesday. Meerut recorded 9°C and Lucknow 10°C, as per the IMD. The cold weather is disrupting daily life in these regions.

In Jammu and Kashmir, cold conditions persisted with temperatures dropping below zero in many areas. The surface of Dal Lake remains frozen due to the severe cold. At 8:30 am, Srinagar recorded a temperature of -1.5°C, Gulmarg -2.4°C, Pahalgam -6°C, and both Banihal and Kupwara saw temperatures of 0.4°C, according to the IMD. The ongoing cold weather is causing significant chill across the region.