IMD Forecasts Above-Average Heat Wave Days Impacting India Amid Power Demand Struggle

Summary and important points:

Introduction to IMD's Forecast

• The India Meteorological Department predicts an increase in heat wave days across various regions in India.

• This comes as India faces challenges in meeting its power demands, with a significant decline in hydroelectric output.

Details of the Forecast

• Most parts of India are expected to experience above-normal temperatures.

• Despite the weakening El Niño event, moderate conditions persist, affecting global weather patterns.

• January 2024 recorded as the warmest in 175 years by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Understanding Heat Waves

• Defined by abnormally high temperatures, with specific criteria for plains and hilly regions.

• Heat waves are common between March and June in India, peaking in May.

Causes of Increased Heat Wave Days

• Climate change contributes to more frequent, intense, and lethal heat waves globally.

• El Niño conditions exacerbate higher temperatures, leading to increased heat wave occurrences.

Impact of Heat Waves

• Adverse effects on livelihoods, food production, disease spread, and human health.

• Heat stress and related deaths are significant concerns during extreme temperature events.

Election Commission's Advisory

• With general elections coinciding with the summer, precautions are advised for voters against heat wave impacts.

• Importance of hydration and protection from direct sunlight emphasized to mitigate health risks.

Additional Information to Remember

• The ongoing climate phenomena underscore the urgent need for adaptive measures and sustainable energy solutions.

• India's commitment to reducing emissions under the Paris Agreement contrasts with its increased reliance on coal due to hydroelectric shortages.

Keywords to Remember

• India Meteorological Department (IMD): The principal agency responsible for meteorological observations and weather forecasting in India.

• El Niño: A climate pattern characterized by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, affecting global weather.

• La Niña: A climate phenomenon marked by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, often resulting in increased rainfall.

• Wet Bulb Temperature: A measure of the lowest temperature that can be achieved through evaporative cooling; critical for assessing heat stress in humans.