Context
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts an above-normal number of heatwave days this summer, aligning with the trend of increasing heat intensity and frequency.
Key Highlights
- The IMD predicts an “above-normal” number of heatwave days throughout northern, central, and eastern India from April to June.
- Only the acute south, the northeast, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh are probably spared from extreme heat.
- It predicted above-normal temperatures for 10-11 days in relevant and eastern states like Odisha, Jharkhand, and jap Uttar Pradesh.
- Night temperatures also are anticipated to be higher than standard, except within the Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions.
- Some components of Gujarat, Odisha, and Vidarbha have already experienced 3-5 heatwave days in March.
2024: A Record-Breaking Year for Heat
- Every Indian state , besides Kerala, witnessed a heatwave in 2024, which includes Karnataka, which rarely experiences such conditions.
- Although 2024 was India’s warmest recorded year, there may be no direct correlation between heatwave days and average annual temperature.
- The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) State of the Global Climate 2024 report showed that 2024 was the hottest year in 175 years, with a global temperature rise of 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Heatwaves are concentrated during intense heat above 40°C, which may not notably affect every year’s temperature averages.
Historical Heatwave Data
- The maximum recorded heatwave days in India had been in 2010 (578 days), followed by 2024.
- However, 2014 saw only 188 heatwave days, while the extreme 2022 heatwave recorded 467 days.
Economic and Social Impact of Extreme Heat
- The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Department of Economic and Policy Research warns that climate change ought to cause a 2.8% GDP loss and 34 million of the projected 80 million worldwide job losses.
- Urban heat island consequences should warm towns by 4°C by 2100, increasing high health challenges.
- Extreme heat is connected to accelerated mortality, school closures, water shortages, power outages, and meals lack of confidence.
Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in India
- HAPs have come to be India’s key strategy for heatwave control.
- India’s first city-level HAP emerged in 1999 after Odisha’s devastating 1998 heatwave.
- At least 23 states and lots of districts have formulated heat action plans to minimize heatwave disruptions and prevent heat-related deaths.
- These plans define measures along with developing shaded areas, ensuring water availability, and adjusting school and office timings.
Challenges in Implementation
- Inadequate planning for susceptible groups like kids and aged
- Weak long-term planning and mitigation techniques
- Unlike air pollutants control (which has a legally mandated Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi-NCR), no automatic heat mitigation machine exists.
- IMD issues heat alerts, however delayed influences make well timed interventions difficult.
Need for Stronger Coordination
- A study by the Sustainable Futures Collaborative determined that most local administrations lacked clean responsibilities and an empowered company to lead the effort.
- Effective implementation requires a well-coordinated, government-sponsored mechanism to conform to climate trade.
Way Forward
- Naming heatwaves (like hurricanes) to enhance public recognition, as seen with “Zoe” in Seville, Spain (2022).
- WHO recommends the fitness sector take a lead role in strengthening governance, preparedness, and reaction to guard high-risk populations.
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Q. Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world.
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