Bhubaneswar: The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has warned that the world could witness record-breaking temperatures over the next five years, with India expected to face increasingly severe heatwaves and rising heat stress by 2027. The warning comes amid an already intense summer across several parts of the country.
According to a WMO report released in Geneva, annual global temperatures between 2026 and 2030 are projected to remain between 1.3°C and 1.9°C above pre-industrial levels.
The report highlighted that nearly half of India, including northern, central, western and eastern regions, is likely to experience above-average temperature increases in the coming years. Scientists have linked the projections to climate change and the possibility of a strong El Niño event developing by the end of 2026, which could push 2027 towards becoming another record-breaking year globally.
WMO and UK Met Office researchers also warned that global temperatures are increasingly likely to temporarily cross the 1.5°C threshold set under the Paris Agreement. While this does not automatically mean the climate target has failed — since the agreement refers to long-term averages — experts said the frequency of such exceedances is growing rapidly.
India is already witnessing extreme weather conditions this summer. Temperatures in parts of Rajasthan recently touched 48.2°C, while several northern and central states continue to remain under heatwave alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The prolonged heat has also placed heavy strain on electricity infrastructure, with India’s power demand crossing record levels due to increased use of cooling systems. Reports of power cuts and water shortages have emerged from several regions, including Delhi and parts of Odisha.
Climate scientists warned that rising temperatures could intensify extreme weather events such as droughts, heavy rainfall and heatwaves, affecting agriculture, urban planning and public health. Experts said vulnerable groups, particularly outdoor workers and people living in informal housing, are likely to face the greatest risks.
UN climate officials have reiterated calls for faster reductions in emissions and greater investment in clean energy to slow the pace of warming.
