India's climate zones shift over 70 years, IMD study finds

A study by the India Meteorological Department and IITM found significant shifts in India's climate zones between 1951 and 2020. The hot semi-arid zone in northwest India expanded from 25.7% to 33.1%, while its temperate zone shrank from 25.8% to 18.7%. Parts of Maharashtra, including Marathwada and western Vidarbha, also became hotter and drier.