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India has been hit by a relentless heatwave over the last week or so with temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius in Phalodi, Rajasthan on May 26, which is the highest since June 2019, when Churu, also in Rajasthan, reached 50.8 degrees Celsius. What is more concerning, with telltale signs of climate change playing a role, is the fact that the heatwave has not been limited only to north India, with comparatively cooler states like Himachal Pradesh, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh too witnessing unprecedented highs in temperatures.
States like Assam experienced a dramatic contrast within a span of 24 hours. On May 27-28, it was struck by strong winds and heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Remal, another extreme weather event that hit coastal regions of Bangladesh and West Bengal around the same time northern India grappled with a heatwave. Remal has claimed the lives of 16 individuals.
Reports from across several states, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, indicate that at least 16 locations witnessed maximum temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius or higher. In Delhi, one of India’s most populous cities, Mungeshpur in Delhi claimed the title of the hottest area in the city this Monday, registering a scorching maximum temperature of 48.8 degrees Celsius. Following closely behind, Najafgarh secured the second position with a recorded temperature of 48.6 degrees.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) projects that this punishing heatwave will endure for at least for some more days. June will witness another surge in maximum temperatures across northern and northwest India, particularly in regions where the monsoon typically arrives late. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has cautioned about the reemergence of heatwaves in Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
Severity and frequency of extreme weather events on the rise in India
While heatwaves are not uncommon in India, the severity and frequency of these events have been on the rise in recent years, a trend attributed to the broader phenomenon of climate change. The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent, with rising global temperatures disrupting weather patterns and exacerbating extreme weather events such as heatwaves.
The link between climate change and heatwaves is well-established. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to accumulate in the atmosphere due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, the planet’s temperature is steadily rising. This warming trend amplifies heatwaves, making them more frequent, prolonged, and intense.
A group of international scientists attributed the exacerbated extreme temperatures across Asia in April primarily to human-induced climate change. In India, where summer temperatures typically reach their zenith in May, experts have anticipated an increase in heatwave occurrences this year. This is attributed in part to a decrease in non-monsoon thundershowers and the presence of an active but diminishing dry El Niño weather pattern.
India, with its diverse geography and large population, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Heatwaves not only pose immediate health risks but also have far-reaching consequences for agriculture, water resources, and the economy. Crop failures, water scarcity, and loss of livelihoods are just some of the challenges exacerbated by extreme heat events.
Climate Change means more intense cyclones
According to a report from the NASA Center for Climate Simulation, over time, there has been a decrease in the frequency of cyclones and this trend is likely to continue in the future as the climate warms. However, the report also suggests that while overall cyclone numbers may decline, the intensity of cyclones, particularly in the northern Bay of Bengal, is expected to increase. This could have significant impacts on India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, as temperatures rise.
Addressing the root causes of climate change and mitigating its impacts are critical steps in addressing the challenges posed by it. Transitioning to renewable energy sources, reducing carbon emissions, and implementing sustainable land-use practices are essential strategies in combating climate change and building resilience against extreme weather events.
Heatwaves and elections
As India’s Lok Sabha elections of 2024 near their culmination, the electoral process faces an additional challenge in the form of a blistering heatwave. The penultimate phase of the mammoth democratic exercise is being conducted amidst soaring temperatures, posing concerns for both voters and election officials alike. With temperatures rising across the country, particularly in regions like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, voters confronted the dual challenge of casting their ballots while safeguarding themselves from the oppressive heat.
References:
https://www.nccs.nasa.gov/news-events/nccs-highlights/bay-of-bengal-cyclones
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