{"id":330795,"date":"2025-03-25T17:40:48","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T12:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=330795"},"modified":"2025-03-25T17:40:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T12:10:48","slug":"heatwaves-in-india-explained-pointwise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/heatwaves-in-india-explained-pointwise\/","title":{"rendered":"Heatwaves in India- Explained Pointwise"},"content":{"rendered":"

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of another year of extreme heat and above-normal heatwaves. This comes as Delhi recorded its hottest February in 74 years<\/span> and Mumbai faced two heatwaves even before mid-March<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Heatwaves in India are becoming more severe and frequent, posing serious health risks. IMD predicts a rise in maximum temperatures and more heatwaves in eastern and southern India in the coming days. India must stay prepared to handle these recurring heatwaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Table of Content<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What are heatwaves? How are they defined in India?<\/a>
\nWhat is the status of Heatwaves in India?<\/a>
\nWhat are the factors behind the increase in Heatwaves in India?<\/a>
\nWhat are the impacts of Heatwaves?<\/a>
\nWhat steps have been taken by the government to address the issue of heatwaves?<\/a>
\nWhat should be the way Forward?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What are heatwaves? How are they defined in India?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Heatwaves-<\/strong> Heat waves are prolonged periods of excessively hot weather<\/span> that can cause adverse impacts on<\/span> human health<\/span>, the environment<\/span>, and the economy<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Definition of Heatwave-<\/strong> In India IMD defines heatwave based on the following criteria.<\/p>\n

Physiography of regions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Plain<\/strong>– The maximum temperature recorded at a station is 40 degrees Celsius or more<\/span>.
\nCoast-<\/strong> The maximum temperature recorded at a station is 37\u00a0degrees Celsius or more<\/span>.
\nHills-<\/strong> The maximum temperature recorded at a station is 30 degrees Celsius or more<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Based on Departure from Normal Temperature<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heat Wave-<\/strong> Departure from normal is 4.5\u00b0C to 6.4\u00b0C<\/span>
\nSevere Heat Wave-<\/strong> Departure from normal is >6.4\u00b0C<\/span><\/p>\n

Based on Actual Maximum Temperature<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heat Wave-<\/strong> When actual maximum temperature \u2265 45\u00b0C\u00a0<\/span>
\nSevere Heat Wave-<\/strong> When actual maximum temperature \u226547\u00b0C<\/span>
\n*Heat Wave is declared if above criteria are met in at least 2 stations in a Meteorological subdivision for at least two consecutive days.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What is the status of Heatwaves in India?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

India has been affected by the Heatwaves since a long time. However, during the last few decades, due to increased instances of climate change, the impact of heat waves has also enhanced quite significantly.<\/p>\n

a.<\/strong> States like Rajasthan<\/span>, Gujarat<\/span>, Uttar Pradesh<\/span>, Delhi<\/span>, Haryana<\/span>, Punjab<\/span>, Madhya Pradesh<\/span> have been affected the most by the Heatwaves.<\/p>\n

b.<\/strong> According to IMD, between 1981 and 1990<\/span> there were 413 heatwave days<\/span> in India. However, the heatwave days have increased to 600 days<\/span> between 2011 and 2020<\/span>.<\/p>\n

c.<\/strong> The number of deaths from heat-related causes increased from 5,457<\/span> between 1981 and 1990<\/span> to 11,555<\/span> between 2011 and 2020<\/span>.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What are the factors behind the increase in Heatwaves in India?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Heatwaves can be caused by a combination of natural and human-induced factors. The main causes are mentioned below-<\/p>\n

Natural causes<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. High Atmospheric Pressure Systems-<\/strong> Heatwaves occur when high-pressure systems stall over a region<\/span>. These systems trap warm air near the Earth\u2019s surface<\/span> and prevent the normal movement of air masses<\/span>, leading to prolonged periods of hot weather.<\/p>\n

2. Climate Variability-<\/strong> Natural climate variations, such as El Nino and<\/span> La Nina events<\/span>, influence weather patterns and increase the likelihood of heatwaves. For ex-<\/strong> During El Nino events<\/span>, warmer ocean waters in the tropical Pacific<\/span> lead to changes in atmospheric circulation and weather patterns.<\/p>\n

3. Drought and Dry Conditions-<\/strong> Prolonged periods of drought and lack of precipitation reduces the overall moisture of the soil, causing the land to heat up more quickly during heat waves.<\/p>\n

4. Changes in Wind Patterns-<\/strong> Shifts in wind pattern transports hot air from one region to another which intensifies heat waves in areas that are not typically prone to such extreme temperatures<\/span>.<\/p>\n

5. Geography and Topography-<\/strong> Geographic features and topographical conditions also contribute to the development of heat waves. For ex-<\/strong> Landlocked valleys and regions surrounded by mountains trap hot air and lead to temperature spikes<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Human-Induced Factors<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Global Warming-<\/strong> The long-term increase in Earth\u2019s average temperature<\/span>, primarily driven by human activities<\/span> such as burning fossil fuels<\/span>, deforestation<\/span>, and industrial processes<\/span>, contributes to the frequency and intensity of heat waves.<\/p>\n

2. Urban Heat Island Effect-<\/strong> Urban areas with high population density<\/span>, extensive concrete and asphalt surfaces<\/span>, and limited vegetation tend to absorb and retain more heat<\/span>, has created localized zones of higher temperatures. This phenomenon, known as the urban heat island effect<\/span>, has intensified heat waves in cities.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What are the impacts of Heatwaves?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Impact on Human Health-\u00a0<\/strong>Rapid rises in heat compromises the body\u2019s ability to regulate temperature<\/span> resulting in a cascade of illnesses<\/span>, including heat cramps<\/span>, heat exhaustion<\/span>, heatstroke<\/span>, and hyperthermia<\/span>.<\/p>\n

2. Impact on Energy-<\/strong> Heatwaves increase the electricity demand for cooling purposes, leading to strain on power grids<\/span> and potential blackouts<\/span>.<\/p>\n

3. Impact on the economy-<\/strong> Heatwaves disrupt economic activities<\/span>, affecting productivity of workers and labourers<\/span>, lacking the access to reliable electricity for cooling during heatwaves. According to an ILO study at 34\u00b0C, workers can lose up to 50% of their work capacity.<\/p>\n

4. Impact on Water Resources-<\/strong> Heatwaves exacerbate water scarcity issues in India due to drying up of water bodies and decrease in the groundwater table. This exacerbates the inter-state conflict over water. For ex-<\/strong> Cauvery water Dispute.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

5. Impact on the food security-<\/strong> The rise in heat waves increase the probability of droughts<\/span>,\u00a0 enhance demand of irrigation water<\/span>, which impacts agricultural production and increases food insecurity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read More- Protecting the most Vulnerable due to Increasing heatwaves in India<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What steps have been taken by the government to address the issue of heatwaves?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Heat Action Plans<\/strong><\/td>\nThe Indian government has updated Heat Action Plans across 23 states<\/span>, aiming to strategically combat and manage heatwaves.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Public Health Preparedness<\/strong><\/td>\nThe Union Health Ministry reviews the preparedness for managing Heat-Related Illnesses (HRIs) periodically<\/span> indicating a proactive approach to address the health impacts of heatwaves.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Focus on Vulnerable Groups<\/strong><\/td>\nThe government initiatives prioritize protecting high-risk groups<\/span> like children<\/span>, pregnant women<\/span>, the elderly<\/span>, and people with chronic diseases<\/span>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Awareness Campaigns<\/strong><\/td>\nAbout 100 districts have initiated campaigns to raise awareness about heatwave risks and precautions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What should be the way Forward?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Effective implementation of Heat Wave Action Plan-<\/strong>\u00a0 Effective implementation of the Heat wave action plan with the State playing a leading role<\/span> and sharing responsibility with other stakeholders<\/span> is now the need of the hour.<\/p>\n

2. Sustainable Cooling-<\/strong> Passive cooling technology like construction of ventilated buildings<\/span> and the use of porotherm bricks<\/span>, can be a vital alternative to address the urban heat island for residential and commercial buildings.<\/p>\n

3. Heatwave Mitigation Plans-<\/strong> Heatwave mitigation plans which includes access to drinking water<\/span>, oral rehydration solutions<\/span> (ORS), shade at public places<\/span>, flexible working hours in workplaces<\/span> must be effectively designed and implemented.<\/p>\n

4. Creation of more Green Spaces-<\/strong> According to the UN, investment of US$ 100 million in street trees globally can bring 1\u00b0C temperature reduction. India must scale up its reforestation and tree plantation efforts. For ex-<\/strong> Haritha Haram project of Telangana Govt<\/span> to increase the green cover in Telangana from the current 24% to 33%.<\/p>\n

5. Adoption of energy efficient solution-<\/strong> The masses should be encouraged to adopt more energy efficient solutions like using desert coolers in place of air conditioners in dry areas<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read More<\/strong>– The Indian Express<\/a>
\nUPSC Syllabus- GS Paper 3<\/strong>-environment\u2013climate change and GS Paper 1- geography\u2013Important Geophysical phenomena such as Heatwaves.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of another year of extreme heat and above-normal heatwaves. This comes as Delhi recorded its hottest February in 74 years and Mumbai faced two heatwaves even before mid-March. Heatwaves in India are becoming more severe and frequent, posing serious health risks. IMD predicts a rise in maximum temperatures… Continue reading Heatwaves in India- Explained Pointwise<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10367,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[130],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-330795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-7-pm","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10367"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=330795"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330795\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=330795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=330795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=330795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}