Heatwave: India records driest August in 122 years as Japan experiences hottest summer

Japan and India recorded their hottest-ever temperatures this summer.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) had warned that global temperatures were likely to surge to record levels between 2023 and 2027.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the country had the highest average summer temperature since record-keeping began in 1898.

The JMA said in locations such as Itoigawa, and Niigata Prefecture, “not only maximum temperatures but also minimum temperatures reached record highs” between June and August.

The agency said that based on observations at 15 locations across the country, the average temperature deviation was +1.76 degrees Celsius, which exceeded the previous record of 1.08 degrees in 2010.

INDIA RECORDS HOTTEST, DRIEST AUGUST SINCE 1901

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said August was the driest and hottest month ever recorded in the country.

The IMD said four of five hottest August mean temperatures were recorded in the last seven years as a result of extreme weather events.

“Average mean and maximum temperatures in August 2023 were the record highest since 1901. The large rainfall deficiency and weak monsoon condition is the main reason,” the IMD said.

In July, WMO said global temperatures have been at “unprecedented levels”, adding that this could lead to an increase in the number of deaths from heat-related illnesses.

EIGHT-WARMEST SUMMER IN UK

The Met Office, on Friday, said that the UK experienced its eighth warmest summer since 1884.

“Meteorological summer 2023 was the eighth warmest on record by mean temperature, thanks largely to June’s record breaking temperatures, in a series which dates back to 1884,” the Met Office said.

“The average mean temperature was 15.4 C (59.72 F), which was 0.8 C (33.44 F) warmer than average. It has also been a wetter than average summer with July leading the way in terms of rainfall; which was provisionally the UK’s sixth wettest July on record.”

Mike Kendon, Met Office senior scientist, said “the characteristic variability of the UK’s climate has once again been illustrated by this summer”.