“It is Unbearable!”: Indian Cities Hit Record High Temperatures, Heat-Related Illnesses On the Rise

Even though summer officially begins in June, severe heat waves are already plaguing much of North and Central India. Wednesday saw temperatures beyond 50 degrees Celsius in several places in Rajasthan and Delhi.

How Bad is it Now?

Delhi, home to 20 million people, saw its first heat-related fatality on Wednesday when a worker, 40, passed away from heatstroke, according to local media. Authorities said they are looking into whether a sensor malfunction at the neighbourhood weather station in Mungeshpur on Wednesday resulted in the 52.9 C reading because it was so alarmingly high.

In some areas of the city, individuals were seen on television chasing or climbing on top of water trucks in order to fill containers during a severe water crisis, which the government attributes to low water levels in Delhi’s main water supply, the Yamuna River.

The scorching summer heat continues to grip north India, causing animals to collapse, people to leap on water tankers with buckets due to shortages, and government personnel to alter their work schedules.

What is the Urban Heat Island Effect?

May, June, and July typically see higher temperatures in India’s major cities. The phenomenon of cities being noticeably warmer than their environment is described as the urban heat-island effect.

Put simply, the urban heat island effect occurs when temperatures in metropolitan areas are higher than in adjacent rural areas. The main causes of this are the infrastructure, buildings, and human activity in metropolitan settings, which absorb and hold heat more efficiently than do natural landscapes.

It is important to remember that conditions are worsening everywhere worldwide and that rising temperatures are not just happening in India. Scientists claim that the El Nino phenomenon, which alters the global weather pattern, is partially to blame for India’s extreme heat.

What is the El Nino Effect?

Unusually warm ocean temperatures in certain regions of the Pacific Ocean are the hallmark of El Niño. The sea surface temperature rises as a result of it as well. El Nino activity began in 2023, and its effects are predicted to persist until June of the current year.

This year’s severe summer is due to the phenomena. But shortly, El Nino will begin to wane and La Nina will take hold.

The La Nina Effect: What Is It?

The Pacific Ocean’s cooling phenomenon is known as La Nina. Although it happens sporadically, La Ninna is linked to significant modifications in weather patterns. Once the La Nina takes hold, India should have a nice monsoon this year.

Why do heatwaves occur?

Heatwaves are caused by numerous changes in the country’s waters and atmosphere, particularly in the North Central and Eastern regions. It puts our bodies under heat stress, which makes it extremely harmful.

According to a recent IMD study, the correlation between rising temperatures and humidity has led to a 30% increase in heat stress cases in India over the past 40 years, from 1980 to 2020.

The average heat index in Central India, North West India, and Eastern Coastal areas rose by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius throughout this period, compared to usual summertime temperatures.