More heat waves in the offing due to global warming

New Delhi: Global warming may cause more frequent heat waves and of longer duration in many regions of the country, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said today.

"As per the fifth Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published in 2014, surface temperature is projected to rise over the 21st century under all emission scenarios. Heat waves are likely to be more frequent and of longer duration in many regions," the minister said replying to a question in Rajya Sabha.

He said the projected annual average rise in surface air temperature by 2030 ranges from 1.7 degrees Celsius to 2.0 degrees Celsius over 1970.

"According to the report by Indian Network of Climate Change Assessment on 'Climate Change and India: A 4x4 Asessment-A Sectoral and Regional Analysis for 2030' the projected annual mean surface air temperature rise by 2030s range from 1.7 degree Celsius to 2.0 degree Celsius over 1970," he said.

The minister said as per India's Second National Communication submitted to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2012, the annual mean surface air temperature rise by the end of the century ranges from 3.5 degrees Celsius to 4.3 degrees Celsius over 1960s.