Three new heatwave hotspots in India put large population at immediate health risk

What is the News?

A team of researchers conducted a study to understand the change in spatial and temporal trends in Heatwaves(HW) and Severe Heat Waves(SHW) over the past seven decades in different meteorological subdivisions of India.

What is Heatwave?

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 parts of India.

Impact of Heatwaves

Heatwaves have emerged as a deadly health hazard, claiming thousands of lives across the globe with episodes strengthening in frequency, intensity and duration in the past half-century in India as well. 

In such a scenario, it is extremely important to identify the heatwave hotspots in India to prioritize immediate policy intervention and stringent mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Heatwave Hotspots in India

Northwestern, central and south-central India are new hotspots of intense heat waves over the past 50 years in India.

These regions need effective heat action plans with a focus on different vulnerabilities among the inhabitants.

Source: This post is based on the article “Three new heatwave hotspots in India put large populations at immediate health risk” published in PIB on 7th September 2021.