​Which of the following states in the southern region of India reported the highest number of extreme weather days from January to September 2023?

Correct option is D

The Correct Answer is: (d) Kerala

Explanation:
According to data released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and other meteorological analysis reports for the period January to September 2023, Kerala experienced the highest number of extreme weather days in southern India. These included heavy rainfall, floods, landslides, and heatwaves, reflecting the growing impact of climate change and regional vulnerability.

Kerala’s geographic and climatic conditions—such as its Western Ghats topography and coastal location—make it particularly susceptible to extreme rainfall events, especially during monsoon months and post-monsoon transitions.

Information Booster:
• India recorded over 240 extreme weather events across states in just 9 months of 2023.
• Kerala topped among southern states in the number of weather-related disruptions.
• Extreme weather includes heatwaves, cold waves, cyclonic storms, heavy rain, floods, etc.
• Kerala has suffered repeated extreme rainfall events since 2018, leading to high alert preparedness.
• The data supports the need for climate-resilient infrastructure and early warning systems.
• Southern India is becoming increasingly vulnerable due to shifting monsoon patterns.