Heat Waves
A heat wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season in the North-Western and South Central parts of India.
It is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to the human body when exposed.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) requires that temperatures should reach at least 40℃ in the plains and at least 30℃ in the hilly regions, and should reflect an increase of at least 5℃-6℃ above the normal temperature to be classified as a heatwave.
The combination of global warming and population growth in already-warm cities in India is the primary driver of increased heat exposure.
What is the Impact of these Heat Waves
Mortality and Morbidity
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in the Second Part of AR6 Report flagged that heat extremes are causing human deaths and morbidity.
The increased heat will lead to an increase in diseases like diabetes, circulatory and respiratory conditions, as well as mental health challenges.
Crop Damage
The fallout of these heat waves is far more complex - the concurrence of heat and drought events are causing crop production losses and tree mortality.
Less Food Production and High Prices
The risks to health and food production will be made more severe from the sudden food production losses exacerbated by heat-induced labour productivity losses.
These interacting impacts will increase food prices, reduce household incomes, and lead to malnutrition and climate-related deaths, especially in tropical regions.
Labour Productivity Loss
A higher urban population also implies heat-induced labour productivity loss, resulting in economic impacts.
Millions of farmers and construction workers could have lost income because on some days it’s just too hot for them to work.
Wildfires and Droughts
The Lancet report, 2021 showed that populations of 134 countries experienced an increase in exposure to wildfires with droughts becoming more widespread than ever before.
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