Upcoming Heatwaves and High Temperatures: A Close Look at India’s Climate Challenge
As India stands on the cusp of the April-May period, the nation is bracing for an alarming escalation in temperatures and the likelihood of severe heatwaves, posing a significant challenge to its environmental and health sectors. This concern is anchored in the predictions made by weather forecasting experts, who signal a departure from the usual climatic patterns observed during the March-May timeframe, potentially impacting the country’s water table significantly.
Severe Heatwaves on the Horizon
According to GP Sharma, President of Skymet Weather Services, in a conversation with CNBC-TV18, India is poised to experience harsh temperature elevations and heatwaves particularly in the months of April and May. This phenomenon is attributed to the early onset of summer, primarily due to diminishing water levels. Sharma highlights that the central regions of India will be the initial focal points of this heat escalation, noting that certain southern areas are already grappling with temperatures around 41°C.
One of the more startling revelations from Sharma pertains to the rainfall—or the lack thereof—in the southern parts of the country, which typically sees some precipitation during this period. The absence of rain, coupled with unusual weather patterns not commonly seen in the March-May period, further exacerbates the situation.
El Nino’s Role
Sharma also sheds light on the exacerbating influence of El Nino, a climatic event characterized by the periodic warming of central Pacific Ocean waters, which tends to amplify the severity and prominence of heatwaves during April and May. This year, the El Nino effect is expected to intensify the heatwaves, making them more severe than usual.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) adds to the concern with its Director-General, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, indicating that the current El Nino conditions are expected to persist through the summer, with a shift to neutral conditions anticipated thereafter.
Historical Context and Implications
Historically, India experiences heatwaves from March to June, occasionally extending into July. These conditions have manifested across various regions including northwest India, central, east, and north peninsular India, along with parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Regions like Rajasthan and the Vidarbha area are particularly vulnerable, often recording temperatures in excess of 45°C.
The nation’s tryst with extreme heatwaves in 2016 and 2022, where temperatures soared above 50°C in some locales, followed by a harsh summer in 2023, marking it as the second warmest year on record, underscores the critical nature of the impending climate challenge.
Conclusion
As India prepares to navigate through the upcoming heatwaves and high temperatures, the insights provided by weather experts like GP Sharma and authorities like IMD underline the urgent need for adaptive measures and policies to mitigate the impacts of these severe climatic conditions. The intertwined effects of El Nino and the observed anomalous weather patterns beckon a concerted effort to safeguard water resources, protect vulnerable populations, and prepare for the climatic adversities that lie ahead.
