If you’re residing in northwest India, brace yourself for intense heatwaves ahead. Days after predicting thunderstorms and rain spells in the region, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued warnings of impending heatwave conditions, notably in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi. By Saturday, in fact, temperatures in the national Capital could soar to 45 degrees Celsius, exacerbating the already intense heat conditions.
For the next five days, the Northwest region is expected to bear the brunt of heatwaves, owing to westerly and northwesterly winds, said the IMD, flagging heightened health concerns, particularly for vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions.
The IMD has also cautioned about the increased risk of heat-related illnesses for individuals exposed to prolonged sunlight or engaging in heavy work. In contrast, a wet spell with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to persist over south Peninsular India until May 22, 2024, according to the IMD, with Tamil Nadu and Kerala likely to experience the maximum impact at isolated places.
The forecast for the Northwest region indicates a fresh heatwave spell extending to east and central India from May 18.
These alerts coincide with broader concerns about escalating heatwaves attributed to climate change, underlining the urgent need for mitigation measures and global efforts to combat greenhouse gas emissions.
“Severe heatwave conditions are very likely in some parts of west Rajasthan during May 17-20 and in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi during May 18-20,” the IMD said. A yellow alert has been issued for east Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha.
The Met office had earlier predicted a higher-than-normal number of heatwave days in the northern plains and central India in May. Normally, the northern plains, central India and adjoining areas of peninsular India experience around three days of heat waves in May.
High temperatures pose grave risks, including heat stroke, skin rashes, cramps, and dehydration,” said Dr Naval K Vikram, from Department of Internal Medicine, AIIMS Delhi. Dr Neha Rastogi, infectious diseases expert added that for those with pre-existing conditions, these issues can quickly turn fatal if not promptly addressed. She also expressed concern that warmer weather is also an invitation for vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria.
More than 1.53 lakh deaths a year were associated with heat waves around the world, with over a fifth of these deaths - the greatest share - coming from India, according to new research looking at data over 30 years since 1990.
India is already reporting high intensity summers. For instance, in India April saw record-smashing maximum temperatures in east, northeast and southern peninsular India, prompting health warnings from government agencies and some states to suspend in-person classes in schools.
Several pockets recorded their highest-ever April day temperatures, with the mercury soaring to 47 degrees Celsius. According to IMD data, heatwave days in April were the highest in 15 years in Gangetic West Bengal and nine years in Odisha.
The World Weather Attribution (WWA) group emphasised that heatwaves intensified by climate change are making life much tougher for people living in poverty across Asia.
In response to these challenges, there is a pressing need for mitigation measures at various levels, including urban planning strategies, healthcare preparedness, and community outreach programs. Additionally, efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change are crucial in addressing the root causes of extreme weather events like heat waves.
