Thirstwaves

News: As per a research, the thirstwaves have increased in severity, with increased frequency in the growing season.

About Thirstwaves

• It is defined as a period of at least three consecutive days when the atmosphere’s evaporative demand exceeds intensively.
• The term was introduced by researchers Meetpal Kukal and Mike Hobbins.
• They have grown more intense, are more frequent, and are lasting longer, especially in seasons when crops are grown.

Different from Heat Waves

• While heat waves are caused by particular temperature and wind patterns, a thirstwave is the product of temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed.
• When temperatures rise, the consequences include more heat as well as the mechanics of water exchange between land and atmosphere, which in turn alters humidity, wind, and solar radiation.
• Global warming intensifies these combined factors, making the air more moisture-demanding.

Evaporative Demand It is a measure of how thirsty the atmosphere is. It determines the near-maximum of how much water will evaporate from a given piece of land if sufficient water is available. Measurement: It is measured using standardised short-crop evapotranspiration – defined as the amount of water a grass surface 12 cm high and which has continuous access to sufficient water and is free of any stress will use. Evapotranspiration itself refers to the two processes by which water moves from land to the atmosphere: evaporation from surfaces and transpiration from plant leaves. Consequences: Higher demand leads to increased moisture loss, leaving crops and soil drier, impacting crop health.