TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: April in India has been marked by an unprecedented surge in temperatures, leading to widespread heatwave conditions across various regions of the country.
EXPLANATION:
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has recorded significant heatwave occurrences, particularly in southern peninsular and southeastern coastal areas.
Areas Prone to Heatwaves:
- The Core Heatwave Zone (CHZ) spanning central, north, and peninsular India between Gujarat and West Bengal is traditionally susceptible to heatwave conditions.
- States like Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana, among others, are recurrently affected by heatwaves during the summer months.
- However, recent observations suggest an expansion of heatwave-affected areas beyond the CHZ, encompassing states like Kerala and Sikkim.
IMD’s Criteria for Declaring Heatwaves:
- The IMD declares a heatwave when the maximum temperature recorded over at least two localities in plains reaches 40 degrees Celsius or exceeds 4.5 degrees Celsius from normal.
- For hilly and coastal regions, the threshold temperatures are 30 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius, respectively.
- A severe heatwave is declared if the temperature departure exceeds 6 degrees Celsius from normal.
- Two primary factors contribute to the extreme heat witnessed in April.
- Firstly, the year 2024 began with an El Niño weather pattern, characterized by abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
- El Niño events typically lead to elevated temperatures, prolonged heatwaves, and reduced pre-monsoon rainfall.
- Secondly, the persistent presence of anticyclone systems over southern peninsular and southeastern coastal areas exacerbates the heat.
- These high-pressure systems induce air subsidence, generating additional heat at the Earth’s surface.
Extent of Heatwaves in April:
- Except for a few days, the entirety of April has seen either localized or widespread heatwave conditions across India.
- Regions like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala have been particularly affected, experiencing prolonged periods of severe heatwaves.
- Notably, the inclusion of states like Kerala and Sikkim in the list of heatwave-affected areas underscores the expanding geographical reach of heatwaves beyond traditional hotspots.
Implications and Future Concerns:
- The intensification and broadening of heatwave occurrences in India raise concerns about the implications of climate change on weather patterns and regional climates.
- The findings align with reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), indicating a shift in heatwave dynamics towards previously unaffected regions.
- Addressing these challenges necessitates proactive measures in climate adaptation, urban planning, and resource management to mitigate the adverse effects of rising temperatures.
Core Heatwave Zone (CHZ):
- The Core Heatwave Zone (CHZ) refers to a region that is particularly vulnerable to severe heatwaves and high temperatures.
- This zone includes areas where heatwaves are more frequent and intense, leading to significant health risks and impacts on communities.
- Regions falling under the Core Heatwave Zone, such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, have experienced extreme heat events that have resulted in adverse effects on human health and well-being.
- The Core Heatwave Zone designation helps to highlight areas where proactive measures and interventions are crucial to enhance community resilience and mitigate the impacts of heatwaves.
- Efforts by organizations like SEEDS India focus on making communities in the Core Heatwave Zone more resilient during heatwaves through targeted interventions and strategies aimed at reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing preparedness.
SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/heatwaves-april-9297681/
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