Telangana saw nearly 200 extreme weather-related deaths in 2024, India's hottest year on record

Lightning and thunderstorms were the leading causes of fatalities, followed by floods, heavy rainfall, and heatwaves. (Representational image)

Telangana witnessed nearly 200 deaths from extreme weather-related events in 2024, a year that has been dubbed India’s warmest on record, according to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) annual climate summary.

As per a Times of India report quoting the IMD, Telangana ranked sixth among Indian states with the highest weather-related fatalities, following Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala.

Lightning and thunderstorms were the leading causes of fatalities, followed by floods, heavy rainfall, and heatwaves. Some deaths were also attributed to gales.

Independent data suggests that Mulugu, Khammam, Bhupalapally, Suryapet, and Jogulamba Gadwal were the most affected districts. Erratic rainfall, temperature anomalies, and extreme weather impacted all 33 districts in the state.

In January, February, and December, minimum temperatures were more than 3°C above normal, while maximum temperatures in March, April, and May exceeded the average by 4°C. In Hyderabad, the minimum temperature averaged 11.4°C, while the maximum soared to 44°C. The city also recorded its highest single-day rainfall of 69 mm on August 16.

Rainfall patterns in Telangana were varied, with the state recording an annual surplus of 19%, primarily due to the southwest monsoon, which brought 29% above-normal precipitation. Mulugu district received the highest rainfall at 1,582.5 mm, followed by Bhadradri Kothagudem (1,247.5 mm), Mahabubabad (1,207.4 mm), and Asifabad (1,174.9 mm). However, the post-monsoon period experienced a 34% deficit, according to the IMD report.

"Rainfall during the post-monsoon season was 97% of the long-period average (LPA) nationally, but Telangana recorded a deficit," the IMD noted. Other states, including Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Jharkhand, also faced similar shortfalls, according to the IMD.

Climate experts have called for urgent action to address the state's climate vulnerability. Ecologist R. Shekhar Tummala stated, "Telangana’s experience in 2024 underscores the pressing need for adaptive strategies to combat climate irregularities," adding that, "Sustainable water management, mitigation of urban heat islands, and investments in disaster-resilient infrastructure are critical to protecting the state against the escalating impacts of climate change."