ParisSea surface hit 20.96°C in July.
A warmer Indian Ocean intensifies cyclones and shifts monsoon rains for two billion people.
Oceans absorb roughly 90% of the heat trapped since industrialisation, committing the atmosphere years ahead regardless of emissions cuts.
A developing El Niño is driving part of the trend, historically disruptive to South Asian monsoons.
Sources: BBC, India Today, Yahoo News, Al Jazeera Online