Context:
Northern India has been enduring the longest series of heatwaves in the past 15 years. In some states, daytime temperatures have consistently exceeded 45°C, while in relatively cooler states, temperatures have been 3°-6°C higher than usual for this time of year. Night temperatures have also remained 3°-6°C above normal, due to the near-absence of moisture and rain.
Relevance:
GS3- Disaster Management
Mains Question:
What has been the effect of heatwaves and delayed monsoons in India? Should prolonged summer be declared as a natural disaster? (10 Marks, 150 Words).
Heatwaves:
- Heatwaves are extended periods of extremely hot weather that can have adverse effects on human health, the environment, and the economy.
- In India, the IMD defines a heatwave based on the following criteria:
Physiography of Regions:
- Plains: Maximum temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius or higher at a station.
- Coastal Areas: Maximum temperature reaches 37 degrees Celsius or higher at a station.
- Hills: Maximum temperature reaches 30 degrees Celsius or higher at a station.
Based on Departure from Normal Temperature
- Heat Wave: Departure from normal temperature is between 4.5°C to 6.4°C.
- Severe Heat Wave: Departure from normal temperature is greater than 6.4°C.
Based on Actual Maximum Temperature:
- Heat Wave: Declared when the actual maximum temperature is 45°C or higher.
- Severe Heat Wave: Declared when the actual maximum temperature is 47°C or higher.
A Heat Wave is officially declared if the above criteria are met at least in two stations within a Meteorological subdivision for at least two consecutive days.
More on the Weather Conditions:
- Additionally, the monsoon has been sluggish. Despite an early start, it has stalled since June 12 and is stuck in central India.
- Before its onset over Kerala, the India Meteorological Department had predicted ‘normal’ rainfall for June, but has now revised this to ‘below normal,’ indicating an 8% shortfall from the expected 16.69 cm.
- However, this update does not provide insight into the monsoon’s progress.
- The normal arrival dates for the monsoon in the northwestern and northern states are between June 25 and July 1.
- It remains to be seen if the current hiatus will delay these dates further. A prolonged delay could place additional strain on the infrastructure in these states.
Rising Power Demands in Northern States:
- On June 17, the Power Ministry reported that demand in northern India had surged to 89 GW (89,000 MW), marking the highest single-day demand recorded.
- To meet this requirement, approximately 25%-30% of the power had to be “imported” from the other four regions — south, west, east, and northeast — and possibly from Bhutan, though specific details were not provided.
- While the Ministry took credit for meeting the demand, this indirectly highlights the strain on the infrastructure.
- Northern India’s installed power capacity is 113 GW (113,000 MW), and the need to import power indicates an inability to fully utilize this capacity.
- On the same day, Delhi’s international airport experienced a half-hour blackout, suggesting that prolonged heatwaves and increased cooling demands will further strain the grid.
- Additionally, Delhi is facing a severe water crisis. Water pilferage is a common issue, but the heat has increased demand, and Haryana, a crucial water supplier for Delhi, has refused to increase the supply due to its own limitations.
Conclusion:
It is crucial that political differences are set aside and that the prolonged summer is addressed holistically by both the Centre and the States as a natural disaster.
