Table of Contents
Jacobabad, Pakistan
North and Central India sizzling
- Delhi recorded its Highest temperature in 18 years at 47.6 degree Celsius
- Rajasthan’s Churu recorded the country’s highest temperature of 50 degrees Celsius on 26th
- Cities with temp above 47 C –
- Hisar, Jhansi, Prayagraj, Banda, Bikaner, SriGanganagar
Heat Wave
- 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.
- Heat Waves typically occur between March and June, and in some rare cases even extend till July.
- The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has given the following criteria for Heat Waves
- Heat Wave need not be considered till the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C for Plains and at least 30°C for Hilly regions.
- When the normal maximum temperature of a station is less than or equal to 40°C,
- Heat Wave Departure from normal is 5°C to 6°C and
- Severe Heat Wave Departure from normal is 7°C or more.
Delhi
- When the normal maximum temperature of a station is more than 40°C,
- Heat Wave Departure from normal is 4°C to 5°C and
- Severe Heat Wave Departure from normal is 6°C or more.
- When the actual maximum temperature remains 45°C or more irrespective of normal maximum temperature, heat waves should be declared.
- A heatwave usually lasts for 4 days. (Lasted for 13 days in 2015)
Health Impacts of Heat Waves
- The extreme temperatures and resultant atmospheric conditions adversely affect people living in these regions as they cause physiological stress, sometimes resulting in death.
- The health impacts of Heat Waves typically involve dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke.
- The signs and symptoms are as follows:
- Heat Cramps: Edema (swelling) and Syncope (fainting) generally accompanied by fever below 39°C i.e.102°F.
- Heat Exhaustion: fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and sweating.
- Heat Stroke: body temperatures of 40°C i.e. 104°F or more along with delirium, seizures or coma. This is a potentially fatal condition.
Increasing Heat waves
- Higher daily peak temperatures and longer, more intense heat waves are becomingly increasingly frequent globally due to climate change.
- India too is feeling the impact of climate change in terms of increased instances of heat waves which are more intense in nature with each passing year, and have a devastating impact on human health thereby increasing the number of heat wave casualties.
Factors Affecting the Recent Heatwave
- Till 21 May – no heatwave
- Western Disturbances
- 22 May to 28 May – Heatwave conditions
- Cyclone AMPHAN’S Effect – Moisture removed
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