Details of the Heatwaves:
#GS I #Geography related issues
Topic Geography related issues:
∙Context:
∙According to the department’s accompanying forecast map, the majority of India is anticipated to experience heatwaves from March to May, with the exception of the northeastern States, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, and coastal Karnataka.
A heat wave is what?
∙According to the International Meteorological Department (IMD), a heatwave is defined as a maximum temperature of at least 40 degrees Celsius for plains, 37 degrees Celsius for coastal regions, and at least 30 degrees Celsius for hilly regions.
∙A heatwave is called when temperatures rise by 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius above average, and a severe heatwave when temperatures rise by more than 6.4 degrees above average.
∙IMD classifies heatwaves as occurring when the actual maximum temperature in the plains surpasses 45 degrees Celsius; heatwaves are deemed severe when they reach 47 degrees Celsius.
∙If the area has daily high temperatures between 45 and 47 degrees, the IMD will additionally proclaim a heatwave and a severe heatwave.
India is encountering increasing heat waves as a result of the following factors:
∙urban regions’ absence of trees and increased effects of paved and concrete surfaces
∙Ambient temperatures may feel 3 to 4 degrees warmer than they actually are because of the effect of urban heat islands.
∙Notwithstanding the 0.8 degree increase in average global temperature over the past century, more heat waves were predicted. The evenings are becoming warmer as well.
∙As a result of climate change, heat waves that stay longer and are more intense are happening more frequently worldwide.
∙high UV radiation levels in environments with moderate to high temperatures.
∙India is susceptible to heat waves because of a combination of extreme heat stress and a largely rural population.
How might India handle future heat waves?
∙The rapid creation and implementation of local Heat Action Plans through tactical inter agency coordination, the identification of hotspots of heat by sufficient meteorological data monitoring, and focusing an emergency response on the most vulnerable populations.
∙A review of the most recent occupational health legislation, industrial rules, and labour laws for worker safety in connection to climate.
∙The three industries of health, water, and power require close coordination and policy action.
∙The promotion of established coping mechanisms like remaining inside and dressing comfortably.
∙Basic design ideas are becoming more and more common, like shaded windows, subterranean water tanks, and insulating building materials.
∙The government may take major action to safeguard those in need by early adoption of local Heat
Action Plans and efficient inter-agency communication.
