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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
How extreme heat is affecting India
Around 76% of India's population is currently at high to very high risk from extreme heat, according to a new study. People living in Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh face the highest risk from heat in the country, the analysis suggests. The study, 'How Extreme Heat is Impacting India: Assessing District-level Heat Risk', was published on May 20. It was carried out by Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) researchers: Shravan Prabhu, Keerthana Anthikat Suresh, Srishti Mandal, Divyanshu Sharma, and Vishwas Chitale. For their analysis, the researchers developed a heat risk index (HRI), which assessed heat risk across 734 districts in India. The index is based on 35 indicators, including an increase in frequency of very hot days, population density, percentage of persons with disability, and change in land use and land cover. Understanding heat risk Contrary to common perception, heat risk is quite different from heat waves and heat stress. While heatwaves — they do not have any universal definition — usually refer to prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures in a specific region, heat stress is when the body temperature exceeds 37 degrees Celsius in humans and animals. At this temperature, the body is not able to effectively remove excess heat, which can lead to discomfort, heat cramps, and exhaustion. If the body temperature crosses 40 degrees Celsius, a heat stroke can occur. Heat risk, on the other hand, is essentially the probability of experiencing heat-related illnesses or death due to exposure to extreme temperatures. It depends on three crucial factors: 'the intensity of the heat (and its compounding effects such as humidity); the degree of exposure; and the underlying vulnerabilities of affected communities,' according to the CEEW study. Factors driving heat risk RISE IN NUMBER OF VERY WARM NIGHTS: In the years between 2012 and 2022, the number of very warm nights has increased faster than very warm days, the study found. More than 70% of districts witnessed five or more additional very warm nights per summer (March to June) during this period. 'These nights and days are defined as periods when minimum and maximum temperatures rise above… what was normal for 95% of the time in the past,' it said. This is concerning because higher temperatures during the night make it difficult for the body to cool down after intense daytime heat, which can lead to a rise in health risks such as heat strokes and worsening of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension. INCREASE IN RELATIVE HUMIDITY IN NORTH INDIA: The study found out that between 2012 and 2022 the relative humidity — the amount of water that is present in the air compared to the greatest amount it would be possible for the air to hold at that temperature — has significantly increased in North India, particularly in Indo-Gangetic Plain. While North India used to have around 30–40% relative humidity during the baseline period between 1982 and 2011, it increased to 40-50% between 2012 and 2022. Higher relative humidity is an issue as it exacerbates heat stress on the human body, especially during the peak summer months. This happens because high relative humidity makes it harder for the body to cool down through sweat after the body temperature crosses 37 degrees Celsius. 'This can increase the occurrence of several heat-related illnesses at a faster rate,' the CEEW study said. HIGH POPULATION DENSITY & INCREASE IN URBANISATION: Apart from very warm nights, very warm days, and relative humidity, several other factors also influence heat risk. For instance, the study found that districts with high population density such as Mumbai and Delhi face the highest exposure to extreme heat. Districts, especially tier II and III cities such as Pune, Thoothukudi and Gurugram, which have seen rapid urbanisation in recent years have witnessed hotter nights. That is because of the emergence of concrete infrastructure which absorbs a lot of heat during the day and releases it during the night. Districts in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh are highly vulnerable to extreme heat. This is due to the combined impact of high temperatures and socio-economic and health vulnerabilities such as more elderly people and a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, according to the study. The significance The year 2024 was the warmest year on record for the world, including India. While the global average annual mean temperature during the year was more than 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels (1850-1900 period), the temperature over India in 2024 was about 1.2 degrees Celsius higher than the 1901-1910 average. Although the temperature rise in India is lower than the increase over the world, the country is already witnessing adverse effects of global warming. For instance, in 2024, India saw its longest recorded heatwave since 2010. There were more than 44,000 cases of heatstroke in the country last year. The situation has been worsened as India's heat action plans (HAPs) — early warning systems and preparedness plans for extreme heat events — remain lacking in some ways. For instance, most of the HAPs put forth by multiple Indian cities lack long-term strategies to tackle the growing threat of extreme heat in the country, according to a study, published in March this year, by the Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC), a New Delhi-based research organisation. The analysis also said that the cities having such strategies did not implement them effectively. Such gaps in planning could result in a higher number of heat-related deaths due to more frequent, intense, and prolonged heatwaves in the following years, according to the study.
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Monsoon in India: What you must know for UPSC exam
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today on monsoon in India. (Relevance: The topic of the monsoon in India is an important part of the UPSC CSE syllabus. Previously, UPSC has asked various questions related to the same topic; for instance, in 2023, a question was asked on the South-West Monsoon.) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Tuesday (May 13) announced the onset of the Southwest Monsoon over some areas of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea at least a week before its scheduled arrival time, and said it would further advance to more parts of the country during the next three to four days. This year's monsoon onset over these regions is the earliest recorded in the past seven years. As per IMD's monsoon onset schedule, the normal date for the monsoon onset over the South Andaman Sea, and Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is May 21. There are two notable types of monsoon in India: (1) Southwest monsoon: It occurs from June to September. It hits Kerala on the southwestern coast and then proceeds across the country. • This monsoon is the primary monsoon affecting India — it not only brings respite from the heat but also contributes to the country's ecosystem and economy, especially the growing of kharif crops. • Over 70 per cent of the country receives the majority of its annual rainfall during the June to September season. The country's Long Period Average is 880 mm. (2) Northeast monsoon: It is another significant and persistent aspect of the Indian subcontinent's climate system. Its name comes from the direction of the monsoon winds, which blow from northeast to southwest. • It occurs from October to December and affects peninsular India. It is not as intense as the southwest monsoon but is crucial for the growth of rabi crops. • The northeast monsoon is key for Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Yanam in southern India. Of the total annual rainfall, Tamil Nadu receives nearly 48 per cent (443.3mm) during the October to December months, important for rabi cultivation. • The Northeast monsoon is also known as the winter monsoon, retreating monsoon, or reverse monsoon. 1. If 'm' is the mean and 'd' is the standard deviation of any climate variable like rainfall. Assuming the time series is normally distributed, 68 per cent of the observations fall within +/- standard deviation (d) from the mean. 2. If the realised value of the variable falls between: (i) m-d to m+d (Normal rainfall) (ii) less than m-d (Below normal rainfall) (iii) more than m+d (Above normal rainfall) The study, 'Decoding India's Changing Monsoon Patterns: A Tehsil-level Assessment', was carried out by Shravan Prabhu and Vishwas Chitale of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a research and policy think-tank. The study found that monsoon patterns in India have been fast-shifting. It is mainly driven by the accelerating rate of climate change. Findings of the Assessment are: 1. There has been a notable increase in rainfall in the tehsils of traditionally drier areas, like Rajasthan, Gujarat, the Konkan region, central Maharashtra, and parts of Tamil Nadu. These regions witnessed a jump of more than 30% in the southwest monsoon rainfall when compared to the baseline of 1981–2011. 2. Meanwhile, traditionally high monsoon rainfall areas such as Assam and Meghalaya saw a reduction in rainfall. 3. The southwest monsoon rainfall rose in 55% of India's tehsils. The increase, however, has resulted from short-duration, severe rainfall, which frequently causes flash floods. 4. During the southwest monsoon in India, wet extremes account for an increasing share of total seasonal rainfall. 5. Changes in monsoon patterns can affect agriculture output and ecosystems. 6. Rainfall is not distributed evenly throughout the seasons and months. 7. The retreating monsoon rainfall spiked by more than 10% in approximately 80% of tehsils in Tamil Nadu, 44% in Telangana, and 39% in Andhra Pradesh. India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues colour-coded weather alerts from time to time during the monsoon. These keep citizens informed and help in greater preparedness in times of unpredictable weather conditions. Alerts by the IMD are colour-coded from Green to Red. 1. 'Green' stands for 'No warning': no action needs to be taken by the authorities, and the forecast is of light to moderate rain. According to the weather department, 15.6 mm to 64.4 mm rain is considered 'moderate'. 2.'Yellow' alert signifies 'Watch', and authorities are advised to 'Be updated' on the situation. According to the weather department, 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm rain is considered 'heavy'. 3. 'Orange' warning stands for 'Alert', and authorities are expected to 'Be prepared'. The forecast during an Orange warning is of heavy to very heavy rainfall. According to IMD, 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm rain is considered 'very heavy'. 4. 'Red' alert stands for 'Warning', and asks authorities to 'Take action'. The forecast is for extremely heavy rainfall. The IMD, however, clarifies that 'Red colour warning does not mean 'Red Alert',' and that it only means 'take action'. According to IMD, more than 204.5 mm rain is considered 'extremely heavy'. Mission Mausam 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 'Mission Mausam', which aims to make the country a 'weather-ready' and 'climate-smart' nation, in Delhi on 14th January as part of the events marking the 150th foundation day of the IMD. 2. In September 2024, the Union Cabinet approved 'Mission Mausam', with a budget of Rs. 2000 crores, to enhance India's ability to predict and respond to extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change. 3. It will be primarily implemented by three key institutions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): the India Meteorological Department, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting. 4. Critical elements of 'Mission Mausam' include- the deployment of next-generation radars and satellite systems with advanced sensors, high-performance supercomputers, the development of enhanced Earth system models, and a GIS-based automated decision support system for real-time data sharing. (1) With reference to the Monsoons in India, consider the following statements: 1. The southwest monsoon brings more than half of India's annual rainfall. 2. The 'above normal' rainfall is attributed mainly to the El Nino conditions. 3. During the northeast monsoon, the direction of the monsoon winds is from southwest to northeast. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None (2) With reference to the Northeast monsoon, consider the following statements: 1. About 75 per cent of the country's annual rainfall is received from the Northeast monsoon. 2. It is confined to the Southern peninsula with Tamil Nadu accounting for maximum rainfall. 3. It is also known as winter monsoon. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None (Sources: How India's monsoon rain pattern has been changing amid climate change by Alind Chauhan, IMD declares monsoon onset over South Bay of Bengal, South Andaman Sea) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for April 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Manas Srivastava 🚨 Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... 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