April 30, 2022

Heatwaves in northern India place millions at risk

topic:	Global Warming
located:	India
editor:	Tish Sanghera

Soaring summer temperatures have struck India’s northern states early this year, with multiple cities this week recording highs above 45 degrees - unusual for late April and the highest in 122 years. 

Temperatures have been rising since March and 15 states are impacted by heatwaves or severe heatwave days. India’s Meteorological Department (IMD) declares a heatwave day when the temperature of a place crosses 40 degrees celsius in the plains, 37 degrees celsius in coastal areas and 30 degrees celsius in the hills. If temperatures anywhere exceed 45 and 47 degrees celsius, the IMD automatically records a heatwave day and severe heatwave day respectively. 

According to the Centre for Science and Environment, the usually temperate and hilly state of Himachal Pradesh has been one of the most affected this year, with 21 heatwaves and severe heat wave days recorded. In the eastern humid states of Odisha and West Bengal, temperatures above 43 led to school closures and early summer breaks.

Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation, warning of the increasing risk of fires. “We are seeing increasing incidents of fires in various places - in jungles, important buildings and in hospitals - in the past few days,” he communicated.  As he spoke, a huge blaze was raging at the Bhalswa landfill site, a gigantic pile of rubbish taller than a 17-storey building. Experts say the heatwave was the catalyst for the fire, with pools of methane gas emanating from decomposing organic waste, which spontaneously combusted. 

As people crank up their air conditioners and plug in more fans, energy demand has surged, leading to power cuts across several states including Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Coal demand has also rocketed, leaving the state scrambling for more as it looks to fuel its majority coal-fired power plants.

Agricultural yields, particularly of wheat - a key staple crop in high demand globally due to the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine - are also feared to have been affected. Farmers have reported losses of 20-60 percent in the bread basket states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Developing heat-resistant varieties will be essential to reduce future losses, according to the Centre for Science and Environment. 

Due to climate change, heatwaves are set to increase in frequency in India and other parts of South Asia. “We can expect such high temperatures about once in every four years,” said Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at the Imperial College of London. The IPCC report warned earlier this year that if emissions continue to rise, India will see deadly combinations of heat and humidity that exceed the survivable limit. 

Image by Nanda Dian Pratama

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