Sea 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