The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that heatwave to severe heatwave is likely to continue over central and northwest India over the next two-three days. Large parts of the country have been recording a week-long heatwave now, exacerbated by warm nights in many places.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged people to take all necessary precautions to prevent heat exposure and help vulnerable people who are already exposed to heat.
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Modi urged citizens to watch for signs of heat exhaustion such as dizziness, nausea or extreme fatigue, adding that ignoring these warning signs can quickly turn dangerous and may even lead to heat stroke.
He added: “If someone around you feels unusually unwell, weak or has a headache, it is best to help move them to a cool, shaded place immediately. Make sure they have water, oral rehydration solution, etc. that will help them. Children, the elderly and outdoor workers are especially vulnerable during extreme temperatures… In such weather, timely care and attention go a long way.”
Prime Minister Modi asked people to provide care to the weak, birds and animals.
“Whenever possible, call and check on elderly parents, grandparents and loved ones during this heatwave. Remind them to stay hydrated, avoid going out during peak afternoon hours and take a rest whenever possible… In this extreme heat, let us also remember the birds and animals around us. A small bowl of water outside your home, balconies, terraces, shops or offices can become a lifeline to a thirsty bird. May mercy guide us in these difficult days,” he said.
“Climate change worsening”
Simon Steele, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, said the extreme heat over India is a result of worsening climate change, driven largely by the world burning massive amounts of coal, oil and gas. He also said that solar and other renewable energy sources have helped meet peak times during the day, and the aggressive steps taken by India to increase solar capacity have been helpful.
“Large parts of India are already experiencing an extreme summer of extreme heat, with severe human and economic impacts, the main cause being worsening climate change, driven largely by the world burning massive amounts of coal, oil and gas. These are testing times for those living in homes without cooling or working long hours outdoors,” Steele said in a statement on Wednesday. “These extreme conditions underscore the importance of taking measures to adapt to climate impacts globally.”
He said India’s large capacity in renewable energy helped. “India has also seen record peak electricity demand in recent days. Solar and other renewable energy sources have helped meet daytime peak times, and India’s aggressive steps to increase solar capacity have been helpful.”
“India’s extreme temperatures are a reminder of the potential of domestic clean energy and energy efficiency measures that can help provide cooling to the most vulnerable, and provide safer, more affordable electricity to help power homes, businesses, vital health services and electric transportation,” Steele said, adding that this heatwave is doubly challenging, “coming amidst the current fossil fuel cost crisis – with imported fossil fuel prices soaring around the world due to conflict in the Middle East, it is a double reminder of the need for countries to act faster.” To renewable energy sources, for energy security and affordability and to protect populations and economies.
On Tuesday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) noted: “As unusually hot weather arrives in parts of the world, it is useful to remember the IPCC’s 2023 synthesis report. It showed that every increase in temperature increases risks escalating rapidly.” It also cited a map from the synthesis report that shows that with temperatures expected to rise by 1.7 to 2.3 degrees Celsius, there will be a significant increase in days annually when temperature and humidity conditions pose a death risk for individuals, in several parts of Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas. Such a rise is also seen over India.
Meanwhile, the UK has just set a new provisional heat record for May with 35C recorded in west London, surpassing the 34.8C reached yesterday. World Weather Attribution, a network of climate scientists and experts who conduct rapid attribution studies, said France also saw record heat, with 36 degrees Celsius recorded in the southwest of the country on Monday, where a heat dome exists over much of western Europe.
“This record temperature has the fingerprints of climate change everywhere. Temperatures on this scale were once exceptional even at the height of summer,” Frederic Otto, professor of climate science at Imperial College London, said in a statement. “Seeing 35°C in the UK during spring is quite astonishing, but the science is very clear – climate change is making these heatwaves hotter, longer and much more frequent.” She added: “The climate we live in today is not the climate we grew up with, and our buildings and infrastructure are woefully unprepared for what is coming. Although we have made some progress in reducing emissions, it is not fast enough. Temperature records will continue to deteriorate until we fundamentally halt global emissions and reach net zero.”
“This period has prolonged considerably. This is mainly due to the hot and dry westerly winds coming into India. There was no weather system to break this period. The nights were also very warm,” said Mahesh Palawat, Vice President, Climate and Meteorology, Skymet Weather.
There is likely to be a drop in maximum temperatures and a subsidence of the heatwave from May 29 onwards.
Heavy to very heavy rains are likely over northeastern India and neighboring eastern India during the next 2-3 days and over southern peninsular India and over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal until May 29. The IMD warned of moderate to severe thunderstorm activity with gusty wind speed reaching 70 kmph over northwest India, central India and eastern India during the period from May 28 to May 30.
On Tuesday, the maximum temperature ranged between 45 and 47 degrees Celsius over Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Vidarbha, and between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius in the rest of the country except northeastern India, the western Himalayan region, the western coast and within Tamil Nadu. The highest maximum temperature of 47.4 degrees Celsius was reported at Banda in Uttar Pradesh.
Heat wave is very likely in some isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh on May 27-28; With severe heatwave conditions in some pockets of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on May 27. Heatwave conditions are very likely to occur in some isolated pockets/in western Rajasthan during May 27-29; East Rajasthan on May 28; With severe heatwave conditions in some pockets over western Rajasthan on 28 May. Heatwave conditions are also very likely in isolated pockets over Madhya Pradesh until May 29; Chhattisgarh on May 28 with intense heatwave in isolated pockets over western Madhya Pradesh state; East Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha on 28 May.
