The rapid rise in carbon dioxide levels across the globe is driving a sharp increase in unusual and destructive weather events. Scientists note that the global average concentration of CO2 from human activity has recorded its steepest annual jump since measurements began in 1957. The consequences are now visible in the growing number of climate shocks across regions that once considered such events rare.
A recent national assessment shows how India is experiencing this shift at an alarming pace. The Climate India 2025 review, prepared for the January to September period, reports that extreme weather events struck the country on almost every day this year. Out of 273 days under study, 270 days saw at least one such event. The pattern reflects an expanding climate footprint that is touching every corner of the country.
Extreme events include a wide range of conditions that depart sharply from what is considered normal for a particular place and time. Heatwaves, cold spells, heavy rain, lightning, storms, floods and landslides all fall within this broad category. The India Meteorological Department classifies these events through specific criteria and updates them in official climate documents and hazard atlases.
The assessment draws from multiple official datasets along with daily tracking to understand how often such events occurred and where they were concentrated. A notable finding this year is the widening spread of climate extremes. All 36 states and Union Territories reported at least one significant event during these nine months. This marks the first time in four years that the entire country experienced such widespread exposure.
For seven out of the nine months, India recorded extreme weather every single day. These months were February, April, May, June, July, August and September. In many parts of the country, the sequence of events ran almost uninterrupted for long stretches. Thirty states and Union Territories experienced these conditions consistently for eight straight months.
Some states saw particularly high frequencies. Himachal Pradesh recorded extreme weather on most days within the study window, pointing to increasing vulnerability in regions with fragile mountain ecosystems. Kerala and Madhya Pradesh followed with long stretches of disruptive weather across the year.
Regionally, the northwest part of the country stood out with the highest number of affected days. This region includes the Himalayan states and large agricultural belts. The pattern of frequent storms, shifting temperatures and intense rainfall signals growing instability in a zone already stressed by changing climate conditions.
The review reinforces a troubling trend. India is facing more frequent and more widespread climate extremes as global emissions continue to rise. The changes are altering weather patterns, stressing infrastructure and challenging communities that must now prepare for a future shaped by continuous climate uncertainty.